US Open 2018: Draw preview and predictions of the Men's singles

#4 BOTTOM HALF

Roger Federer intends to put behind his quarter-final loss in New York last season to wade ahead

FOURTH QUARTER: Projected quarter-final #2 Roger Federer vs #6 Novak Djokovic

It is a bizarre situation for the second seed Roger Federer who lands in the same quarter as that of Novak Djokovic.

Just a few days back Federer was forced into submission by Djokovic in the final of the Cincinnati Masters. The World No.2 but knows his task at hands and should edge past the Serb on this voyage if he intends to amass a record sixth US Open title.

Federer who is not playing at the required level at the moment will have to bring forth his best to go deep at Flushing Meadows.

But before their projected quarter-final, both Djokovic and Federer have numerous challenges to tackle. The Swiss undoubtedly has a tougher draw than Djokovic. Federer opens against Yoshito Nishioka and can face the very unpredictable Benoit Paire in the second round. If the dangerous power packed Nick Kyrgios is at his physical and mental best, Federer will find the Australian as his third round opponent.

If at all, Federer gets past this third round, he will face either Next gen star Hyeon Chung or the feisty Fabio Fognini in the round of 16. The Italian Fognini already has won three titles this season by triumphing in Sao Paulo, Bastad and Los Cabos. The enigmatic Italian when in his groove is known to threaten the best in business.

Novak Djokovic, on the other hand, has silenced detractors with his magical comeback from injury to lift his 13th Grand Slam title at Wimbledon this year. Basking in a different kind of a confidence, the two-time US Open champion looks in complete domination mode to wade his way through the draw.

Djokovic begins his campaign for a third title at Flushing Meadows by opening against Marton Fucsovics. Tennys Sandgren or Viktor Troicki should be his second round opponents. A third round sees him lock horns with 26th seed Richard Gasquet. Either of Pablo Carreno Busta or Lucas Pouille should be the Serb’s fourth-round opponents.

With a relatively light draw, the Serb should easily cruise till the quarter-finals. If Federer has packed his ammunition well, he can pull down Djokovic to make the semis from this quarter of the bottom half.

Prediction: Roger Federer moves into the semis.

The countdown to the Final Major of this year has begun. While the action is set to begin from Monday, 27th August till the 9th of September, tennis fans will wait with bated breaths to watch who comes out on the top to lift the trophy on Arthur Ashe on the Final day of the US Open.