1. Roger Federer

The three-time defending champion and world number one looks to in fine form to clinch his 12th slam and equal Roy Emerson’s record. A win here would mean that Roger would be just two away of Pete Sampras’ record of 14 singles slam titles. Bill Tilden was the last person to win the US Open 4 times in a row (he went on to win six straight titles from 1920-1925).

This year Federer clinched the US Open series by winning the Cincinnati Masters and reaching the finals at the Roger Cup in Montreal (lost to Novak Djokovic). At the US Open Federer has a comparatively easy draw, his first big test could come in the quarters where he could face the American Andy Roddick or the talented Czech Tomas Berdych. In fourth round he could face Wimbledon semi-finalist Richard Gasquet or former Roland Garros Champion Juan Carlos Ferrero.

2. Novak Djokovic

The Serb seems to have developed a great fondness for the North American hard courts. At the beginning of the year he won the Miami Masters and then reached the Indian Wells Masters finals (lost to Rafael Nadal). Over the summer, he won the Rogers Cup in Montreal beating King Roger himself in three sets after saving 6 set points in the first set. His performance in that tournament had been nothing short of magnificent- beating Federer, Nadal and Roddick to win the title. Should he face Federer in the U.S. Open final, it is very likely that he would use the same ploy that he used in Montreal- attack Federer’s backhand relentlessly and expect the Swiss Master to falter.

The young Serb however has a tough draw to navigate through before reaching the semifinals. He is very likely to face in-form Lleyton Hewitt in the fourth round and 11th seeded Russian Mikhail Youzhny in the quarters.

3. James Blake

This is Blake’s last chance to redeem what has been a very disappointing year. Much was expected from Blake after he reached the year ending Masters Cup final (lost to Federer) and has shown very little evidence of meeting those expectations. He comes into the U.S. open on the back of his best performance this year ( finals of the Cincinnati master) and this week he sees himself handed-over a slightly tricky draw where he is likely to face rising American Sam Querrey in the third round and Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis in the fourth round. Should he cross these hurdles he could face the fourth seeded Russian Nikolay Davydenko in the quarterfinals.

4. Rafael Nadal

The world no.2 player comes to the Open short on preparation. He retired against Argentinian Juan Monaco in Cincinati after complaining of cramps. In addition to his health-related woes, he has drawn tough opponents like hard-court specialist Dmitry Tursunov in the third round and in-form countryman David Ferrer in the fourth round. He is seeded to face an out-of-form Fernando Gonzalez in the quarters, the man he lost to in this year’s Australian Open.

Should Nadal arrive in New York anywhere near full fitness and play his own brand of tennis, he could be rewarded with a semi-finals clash with Djokovic. Unfortunately, his right knee has been bothering him since Wimbledon and hence Nadal could struggle in the tournament,

Player with the Best Outside Chance: Tony Roche’s new disciple and sixteenth seed Lleyton Hewitt who gave the maximum trouble to Federer in the Cincinnati semifinals is keen to do well at this year’s Championship. The 2001 champion is in the bottom half of the draw and should he beat Novak Djokovic in the fourth round, he has a very good chance to reach the finals and have another shot at the title. Also, the best of five-set matches are exactly what Hewitt is cut out for and relishes to the maximum.

Prediction:

Finals : Roger Federer Vs Novak Djokovic

Winner: Roger Federer

The women’s list is here