U.S. Open Preview

The fourth and final Grand Slam of the year has finally arrived. I’m a little late here , so by the time you’re reading this, there’s a good chance some matches will have already been played. Hopefully none of my predictions will have been proved wrong by that point, so fingers crossed on that front.

Champion Odds by Seed (taken from Bovada)

1. Rafael Nadal (ESP) +300
2. Roger Federer (SUI) +500
3. Juan Martin del Potro (ARG) +1200
4. Alexander Zverev (GER) +1000
5. Kevin Anderson (RSA) +3300
6. Novak Djokovic (SER) +225
7. Marin Cilic (CRO) +1600
8. Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) +4000
9. Dominic Thiem (AUT) +5000
10. David Goffin (BEL) +8000
11. John Isner (USA) +5000
12. Pablo Carreno Busta (ESP) +20000
13. Diego Schwartzman (ARG) +25000
14. Fabio Fognini (ITA) +20000
15. Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRC) +5000
16. Kyle Edmund (GBR) +10000

No real surprises here. Once again the oddsmakers have it as essentially a three-horse race between – who else? – Djokovic, Nadal, and Federer. And in all likelihood it will be one of those three going home as champion.

Draw Preview (full draw can be found here)

Top Half – Nadal’s Quarter

Nadal faces fellow Spaniard David Ferrer in the first round. I don’t see Nadal having too much trouble with this one, but if Ferrer gives him a tough fight – or even wins – it wouldn’t be completely shocking. This could be Nadal’s toughest match through the first four rounds. Thiem, Anderson, or (hopefully) Shapovalov will likely be waiting in the quarters. Nadal should have clear sailing at least into the quarters.

Top Half – del Potro’s Quarter

Andy Murray is the wild card here. You know the talent is there, but how much rust will Murray have to shake off? If Murray is back to form, or at least close, del Potro could face a tougher-than-usual 3rd round match. There are a number of other potential obstacles he could face, with his quarter also containing Tsitsipas, Isner, Raonic, Wawrinka, and Dimitrov. Wawrinka and Dimitrov actually play each other in what could be the best first round match of the tournament. While you still have to pick del Potro to advance to the semis, it wouldn’t be surprise to see any of the aforementioned players take that spot instead.

Bottom Half – Zverev’s Quarter

You have to like Zverev’s chances – at least on paper. But with all his talent, he still has only advanced to exactly one Grand Slam quarterfinal. Still only 21, I believe his breakout will come. But I’m going to stop calling in and just wait until I see it. Cilic also has a nice draw, with a potential fourth round match against Goffin likely the toughest match through four rounds.

Bottom Half – Federer’s Quarter

Djokovic is still climbing the ranks, so he comes in as only the 6th seed. That means he and Federer could face each other in the quarterfinals, earlier than many other elite match ups. Djokovic should cruise into the quarters. Federer could have a tricky third round match, as Kyrgios could be waiting. Whoever comes out on top will be the favorite to meet Djokovic in the quarters.