The US. Open could be the best Grand Slam of the year

We are now slowly entering the final part of this year’s tennis season, and it has certainly been a most enjoyable one so far.

We have had Roger Federer reclaim his OZ open crown and Rafa Nadal storming back to the top of his game by taking both Roland Garros and Wimbledon, where we also witnessed the longest match in tennis history (Isner def. Mahut), a visit from the Queen and a few other surprises.

But I feel we’re still in for a cracking finish to a great season, and the US Open is first on the agenda.

For me, this tournament always felt like the most open Grand Slam of them all during the past few years, especially having Fed and Nadal totally dominating the grass- and claycourt seasons. This is New York, it’s loud, it’s big, it’s fast – anything can happen.

It is a huge disappointment that Juan Martin del Potro will not be able to defend his title, still suffering from a wrist injury that has sidelined him for most of the season. Considering his highly impressive display last year, you feel like anyone going for the title should have to beat him on the way.

So what are the chances, with del Potro out? After Wimbledon, most of us would have said that it should be an affair between Nadal and Murray, with Söderling and Berdych as outsiders.

But the two Masters series events in Toronto and Cincinnati during the past two weeks showed that Roger Federer means business once again, going to the final in Canada and winning in Ohio.

His newly formed cooperation with Paul Annacone seems to have given him a boost in his game, making him look as sharp as ever. There are even some new elements in his game that he tested during these two tournaments, like the slice backhand approach to the net that gained him quiet a few points.

So with Fed in this kind of form, I would still consider him as favourite in Flushing Meadows to win his 17th major title. If noone can repeat del Potro’s superhuman effort in last year’s final, Roger will be mighty tough to overcome for anyone.

Murray will be dangerous for sure, hungry for his first Grand Slam title, with a rock solid game that only gets better by the minute.

As for Nadal, he either seems to have wound up in the same old trap of not having enough energy for the second half of the season, or the fast American hard courts simply do not fit his game. At the moment I don’t feel he has a realistic chance in New York, but of course, with Rafa you can never be sure.

Novak Djokovic is always there, always a threat, but somehow, he misses that final touch to win his second major. I once again expect to see him in the semi-final, but no further.

Hard-hitting Söderling and Berdych are both playing really well this season, but I think we still have to wait one year or two before anyone of them are mature enough to take a Grand Slam crown.

The home challenge comes mainly from the Roddick-Querrey-Fish trio, each of them strong on home soil. Considering their current form, they could all go deep into the tournament, but a win from any of them would undoubtedly be the sensation of the year.

One thing is for sure, it will be a US. Open to remember.

I close with an invitation to all tennis fans – pick your favourites and buckle up for the final big ride of 2010!