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Rafael Nadal will be aiming to defend his title in the upcoming US Open season, as the Spaniard will be hoping to repeat his last year’s performances at Flushing Meadows. Although the Spaniard lost to Novak Djokovic in the semifinals of last month’s Wimbledon, Nadal will try to produce some gritty performances.
Roger Federer, who made an exit in the quarterfinals of last month’s Wimbledon tournament, will be eager to reproduce his last year’s magic when the Swiss legend won two grand slam titles after making a comeback from a career-threatening injury. The 37-year-old also won this year’s Australian Open and will be amongst the favourites to win the US Open title.
On the other hand, Novak Djokovic, who was going through a tough phase since the last two years because of poor form and fitness issues, is looking in good shape to win the title after winning last month’s Wimbledon title. The Serb also won the Cincinnati Open this month by beating Roger Federer in the final.
Andy Murray is another player who has suffered from poor form and injury concerns since the last one and a half years. The Scott will be eager to prove his class at flushing meadows after missing out on last month’s Wimbledon tournament due to an injury.
Apart from the big 4, there are some players who are slowly emerging as the future stars of tennis circle and who could produce some inspiring performances in the upcoming US Open season. We take a look at 5 such players who might surprise in the upcoming US Open tournament.
#1 Dominic Thiem
Dominic Thiem is considered to be the next superstar in the making in tennis circles. The 25-year-old produced some decent performances this year by winning the Lyon open in May and finished runner-up in the Madrid Open in the same month losing to Alexander Zverev in the finals.
The Austrian also finished runner-up against Rafael Nadal in the French Open this year. He also won the Argentina Open in February by beating Aljaz Bedene of Slovenia in the finals with a 6-2, 6-4 scoreline. His destructive forehands combined with his solid groundstrokes can trouble his opponent.
His baselines are quite precise. His quick groundstrokes have outdone many opponents, while his topspin is quite effective during the run of play. Thiem's calmness helps him during pressure situations, which the Austrian had said helps him focus whenever he plays a tricky opponent. His single-handed backhand has always been his main strength.
Alexander Zverev has been touted as the next big thing in the tennis circuit but the German hasn’t lived up to his expectations in Grand Slams yet. Many think that may be the German may need some more time to develop the temperament one needs to excel in Grand Slam tournaments.
The 22-year-old won the Madrid Masters in May by beating Dominic Thiem in the finals and was runner-up in the Miami Masters and Rome masters in March and May. He also won the Bavarian International Tennis Championship in April. His precise baselines have, at times, outfoxed his opponents.
He also won the Washington Open in July by beating Australia’s Alex de Minaur in the finals. His rasping serves can outclass his rivals, while he has this ability to surprise his opponents with his quick serves. Zverev’s backhand strokes are considered to be his main strengths and it is an area where the German can be a big threat to his rivals.
# 3 Marin Cilic
Marin Cilic is another player who hasn’t done justice to his talent. The Croatian was the runner-up in the last edition of Wimbledon as the 30-year-old lost his way in that game because of an injury. This year too, he was a runner-up in the Australian Open as he lost against Roger Federer in the finals. Cilic won the Queens Club championships in June before the Wimbledon tournament.
The 2014 US Open champion had stated that winning the US Open tournament will give him a much-required boost to do well in the tournaments after the US Open as well in Grand Slam tournaments next year. He was the runner-up in the Stuttgart Open in Germany in June where he lost to Roger Federer in the final.
His sublime baseline strokes have always unsettled his opponents combined with his powerful groundstrokes. Cilic has this ability to produce some brilliant groundstrokes during the run of play which can outclass his rivals. He can also execute some exceptional drop shots. Cilic can also cover a lot of ground with his reach and quick moves.
# 4 Juan Martin Del Potro
The Argentine is a big threat to every opponent because of his reputation as a giant killer. Del Potro surely has the ability to outlast any opponent with his powerful serve and rapid groundstrokes. His electric forehand is considered the best, which he often executes with speed and accuracy.
The 2009 US Open Champion can also generate a lot of speed with his destructive baseline strokes. His return to the sport last year from a career-threatening wrist injury wasn’t that impressive but Del Potro is slowly coming into his groove. He won the Mexican Open in February and the Indian Wells Masters in March this year.
He finished runner-up in the Auckland Open in January. The Argentine was always billed as the most promising talent but his struggles with injuries have always created hurdles in his progress. The 30-year-old can take heart from the act that he had won the 2009 US Open which can act as a morale booster for him and which might inspire him to do well in the upcoming US Open tournament.
# 5 John Isner
John Isner is a surprise inclusion in our list as the American is a big threat when it comes to his powerful serves. The 33-year-old is capable of playing long rallies and can outclass the best players because of his deceptive moves during the run of play.
Isner has been involved in two longest matches to have ever been played in Wimbledon - one against Nicolas Mahut of France which lasted 11hr and 5 minutes in the 2010 Wimbledon tournament while the other one against Kevin Anderson of South Africa in this year’s Wimbledon semifinal match which lasted 6hr and 35 minutes.
Isner possesses destructive forehands that can floor his rivals and can be a tricky customer. Isner is equally good while playing groundstrokes but had once stated that he needs to improve more in that area. He won the Atlanta Open in July after beating fellow American Ryan Harrison in the final.
