The 2014 installment of the final Grand Slam on tennis’ annual calendar may be the most wide-open Grand Slam in recent memory. With the top players in the world dealing with various issues (or missing the tournament altogether), the title is conceivably up for grabs to far more players than just Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, and Andy Murray.
Djokovic opened as a +170 favorite according to My Top Sportsbooks, but he has shifted to even-money since Rafael Nadal’s withdrawal. Then there’s Federer, Murray, and Stan Wawrinka. Of those four “favorites,” only Federer is playing particularly good tennis at the moment and he has won just a single major title since January of 2010 and none since Wimbledon in 2012.
Someone currently under the radar will undoubtedly take advantage of an open draw this upcoming fortnight–maybe not to the extent of capturing the title, but at least to make a surprisingly deep run. Will it be an American? No American man has triumphed at a Grand Slam since Andy Roddick at the 2003 U.S. Open. Only one (John Isner) is seeded at this year’s tournament.
Still, the United States will not be without chances. Let’s take a look at the 11 main-draw participants:
John Isner – Isner is in line to be the No. 13 seed at the U.S. Open. A top 16 seed means he will avoid any top eight player until at least the fourth round, but a top 12 seed would have assured no top 4 opponent until at least the quarterfinals. Isner could still snag the 12th seed if Richard Gasquet withdraws. The world No. 15 has not enjoyed his best summer, but that could be a blessing in disguise in that he will be–for once–well-rested heading into New York regardless of how far he goes this week in Winston-Salem. In ESPN’s summer hard-court rankings, Isner stands at No. 10.
Pick depending on the draw: Quarterfinals.
Donald Young – Currently ranked 46th in the world, Young came much closer to being seeded than he did to missing the cut for direct entry (something that has been an issue for him in years past). The 25-year-old reached the semifinals in Washington, D.C. earlier this month, so he should be confident. Young made it to the fourth round of the U.S. Open in 2011.
Pick depending on the draw: Second round.
Steve Johnson – No American man is hotter right now that Steve Johnson. The former University of Southern California star is up to a career-high ranking of No. 49 in the world in part thanks to a quarterfinal showing in Washington, D.C. and a third-round appearance in Cincinnati. Johnson boasts wins this summer over Isner, Ivo Karlovic, and Ernests Gulbis, and he pushed Milos Raonic to a third-set tiebreaker in Cincinnati. Sports Illustrated recently applauded the summer hard-court efforts of Johnson and Young.
Pick depending on the draw: Third round.
Jack Sock – Sock has positively been a sensation in doubles this summer with Canadian partner Vasek Pospisil. The duo won Wimbledon, maintained its perfection in Atlanta, and finished runner-up to the Bryan Brothers in Cincinnati. In singles, Sock reached semifinals in Newport and Atlanta. The world No. 55 has made it to the third round of the U.S. Open each of the past two years.
Pick depending on the draw: Second round.
Sam Querrey – Once the comfortable owner of the United States’ No. 2 spot behind Isner, Querrey has been locked in a battle and even surpassed for that distinction now. The world No. 56 is a mediocre 19-18 this season and has underachieved on American hard court this summer following a nice run on grass.
Pick depending on the draw: Second round.
Tim Smyczek – Smyczek would currently be well inside the main-draw cut for a Grand Slam at No. 91 in the world, but he was on the outside looking at the time of the U.S. Open entry deadline. In fact, when the qualifying draw was made on Monday (ending direct entry hopes) he was one spot away. But Smyczek has a wild card, so no matter. He reached the third round last summer in New York before losing a thrilling five-setter on the Grandstand to Marcel Granollers.
Pick depending on the draw: First round.
Wayne Odesnik – Odesnik won a wild card from the USTA for accumulating the most points in hard-court Challengers this summer. The association cannot be too happy; 1) Odesnik is not the most liked or respected character, and 2) at No. 180 in the world he does not have a great chance of winning a main-draw match.
Pick depending on the draw: First round.
Ryan Harrison – At 184th in the world, Harrison obviously needed a wild card to get into the main draw. He got one based on past history and perceived talent. This season, though, has been an injury-plagued disaster for Harrison. He was making a comeback from a foot problem in Winston-Salem, where he won his first-round match over Jan-Lennard Struff. On Tuesday, however, he retired with a shoulder problem while leading Lukas Rosol by a set.
Pick depending on the draw: First round.
Jared Donaldson – Big hype surrounds Donaldson, a 17-year-old already up to a career-high ranking of No. 305 in the world. The No. 1 seed in the boys 18s in Kalamazoo, Donaldson was forced to retire with an abdominal injury in the quarterfinals. Still, he got a wild card despite not earning one automatically.
Pick depending on the draw: First round.
Marcos Giron – Giron played his way into the U.S. Open by winning the NCAA singles championship. The UCLA standout, ranked 301st in the word, qualified this week in Winston-Salem before losing 6-4, 6-4 to Aleksandr Nedovyesov.
Pick depending on the draw: First round.
Noah Rubin – Rubin is in outstanding form heading into his first main draw of a Grand Slam. The 18-year-old, ranked No. 584, won the Wimbledon junior title as a qualifier. He also triumphed in both singles and doubles in Kalamazoo, clinching U.S. Open wild cards in both events. Rubin beat defending champ Collin Altamirano 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 in the singles final. The future Wake Forest player also got a WC this week in Winston-Salem, where he pushed world No. 117 Bradley Klahn to a third-set tiebreaker.
Pick depending on the draw: First round.
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