Ultimate US Open Preview | Thebigtip

2010 US Open - Flushing Meadows, New York

After the back to back Masters 1000 tournaments in Toronto and Cincinnati, the focus shifts to the fourth and final Grand Slam of the 2010 season. Unfortunately, 2009 US Open champion Juan Martin Del Potro won't be defending his crown as he's still recovering from a wrist injury he's been plagued by for most of the 2010 season. It's only the third time the defending champion in the Men's Draw has failed to be able to defend his crown.

So, whose going to take home the last Grand Slam of the year? Will it be Roger Federer looking for his sixth US Open crown and 17th Grand Slam overall. Or will it be French Open/Wimbledon champion Rafael Nadal, bidding to win the US Open for the first time in his career. He's never reached the Final. Or can Andy Murray or Novak Djokovic lift their games to another level when it really counts. Could there be a player than could bolt out of nowhere.

Current Betfair Odds as at 11.40am 26/8/10

Federer        $3.60

Nadal           $4.60

Murray          $4.80

Djokovic       $17.50

Roddick        $32

Nalabandian $42

Bagdhdatis  $80

Here's a look at the top four players, and three possible players that could cause some problems.

1] Rafael Nadal

The World No. 1 comes into this US Open with probably the best chance to ever win it. He's already won the French Open and Wimbledon in 2010, and if he wins the US Open, it'll be the first time he's won three Grand Slams in one year, something that Roger Federer has done three times. Nadal's performances in the two lead up events, the Masters 1000 tournaments in Toronto and Cincinnati have been solid yet unspectacular. He lost in the Semi Finals to eventual winner Andy Murray (whom is the only player on the ATP Tour to have beaten Nadal twice in 2010) and followed it up with a Quarter Final effort in Cincinnati, losing to Marcos Baghdatis in three sets. If he's to go all the way at Flushing Meadows, he's going to need to be at his best. He's made the Semi Finals the last two years, and will be hoping to go one step further in 2010, the only Grand Slam which he hasn't won or even made the Final.

2] Roger Federer

Comes into the US Open with the best form of anyone. Won in Cincinnati and made the Final in Toronto losing to Andy Murray. Might not be playing his best tennis ever, but is still playing at a higher level than he was at the previous two Grand Slams, where he made the Quarter Finals at both the French Open and Wimbledon. To me Roger Federer is the favorite to win the US Open, and I think he's proven that over the past two weeks. He's also won the US Open five times, and lost in the Final in 2009. His winning percentage at Flushing Meadows is also better than it is at Wimbledon. Roger has a 91% winning rate at the US Open, compared to 90% at Wimbledon. Will be very tough to beat and is looking good for not only his sixth US Open title, but his 17th Grand Slam.

3] Novak Djokovic

Of the top four players, Novak is probably the hardest to judge on how he'll perform. Made the Semi Finals in Toronto losing to Roger Federer and World No. 2 ranking in the process, then followed it up with a disappointing loss in the Quarter Finals at Cincinnati to Andy Roddick. He has made at least the Semi Finals the last three years, including the Final in 2007 where he lost to Roger Federer. If he can get through the first couple of matches unscathed, he'll be hoping for plenty of night matches later on as it's common knowledge that Novak doesn't play so well in the heat. If he can get those night matches, he could go all the way and add to the 2008 Australian Open he won. But that's the problem for me, Djokovic has too many 'If's', something the other three players (Nadal, Federer & Murray) don't have.

4] Andy Murray

Apart from Roger Federer, it's Andy Murray that poses probably the best chance of winning at Flushing Meadows. Won in Toronto beating four quality players in Monfils, Nalbandian, Nadal and Federer and followed it up with a Quarter Final performance where he lost to giant killer Mardy Fish. But it has to be noted, Andy had won his previous two matches in very tough three setters, and coupled with the very hot midday heat as his match was the first match of the next day, it was all too much. Still, I think behind the favorite Roger Federer, Andy Murray is next in line and could very well break the duck and win his first Grand Slam.