US Open Preview And Predictions

The 50th US Open begins tomorrow at Flushing Meadow and, like all the majors this year, the favorites on the men's side are pretty clear and the women's draw is wide open.

As far as the men are concerned, the seemingly hottest player coming into the tournament is the rejuvenated Novak Djokovic. Unfortunately, he is in the same quarter as Roger Federer. Rafa Nadal is the top seed, and those three are the odds-on favorites to once again dominate and win this major. Andy Murray is still struggling to come back from injury and is in a brutal quarter with Juan Martin del Potro and Gregor Dmitrov. Del Potro has had a disappointing run-up to the Open and Dmitrov will face a healthy Stan Wawrinka, back from injury, in the very first round. Alex Zverev is the #4 seed and should come through his quarter unscathed, even though he has underperformed in the majors. His biggest threat in that quarter will be the always enigmatic Marin Cilic.

As noted, the women's draw is once again wide open. Simona Halep is the top seed and has had a great hardcourt run-up to the Open, reaching the finals in both Canada and Cincinnati. Caroline Wozniacki, Sloane Stephens, and Angie Kerber round out the top four seeds. Of those, I really think only Kerber is a real threat to win it all. Serena Williams has struggled on the hardcourts in her return from maternity leave and then injury and is seeded 17th. But she has pointed to this tournament and I expect her to be a threat once again. Petra Kvitová, Karolina Pliskova, and Julia Goerges have all had successful summers and could all go deep in this tournament. Caroline Garcia, assuming she gets by Joanna Konta in the first round, Aryna Sebelinka, and Kiki Bertens could also do some damage but probably don't have the consistency to get far into the second week.

The first three days this week are supposed to be typical New York August weather - hazy, hot, and humid with the heat index probably well over 100 degrees. That means that early round upsets are more possible than usual. And, although all these athletes are incredibly fit, even a favorite who gets fully extended in that kind of weather may find it difficult to keep their energy at its highest level in the second week. That is probably especially true for defenders like Halep and Wozniacki and those returning from injury like Serena, Wawrinka, or Murray.

Predictions:

Men's Final: Djokovic beats Nadal in 4 sets

Women's Final: Halep beats Kvitová in 3rd set tiebreak