What does the US Open 2017 have in store?
The 2017 US Open has gotten the fans feeling a tad disappointed with several marquee players giving it a miss. In the men's section, big names likes Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic, and defending champion Stan Wawrinka pulled out due to injuries. Serena Williams' pregnancy, and Maria Sharapova's comeback leave the women's draw wide open and intriguing to watch. Let us find out more!
Age-defying Federer and Rafa continue to be the favorites
In this tournament, one will experience the brilliance of veterans, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, who are at the top of their game. These two have three of this year's major titles between them, Federer having won the Australian Open and Wimbledon, and Rafa clinching the French Open. It would come as no surprise if the US open is won by either of them.
Unpredictable because it's the US Open
US Open has always been a ground for new champions. The unpredictable slam has produced five different champions in the past five years. Surprise contenders for the title include Alexander Zverev, Dominic Thiem from the younger generation, Gregor Dimitrov from the 'lost generation', and big servers who were former US Open winners like Marin Cilic and Juan Martin del Potro.
No absolute favorites in the women's section
On the heels of Wimbledon title, Garbine Muguruza is the most favoured player on the circuit to win the title. Besides her, there is no player one can deem as an absolute favorite to win. While defending champion Angie Kerber is in poor form, others aiming to win their first major include world number 1 Karolina Pliskova and number 2 seed Simona Halep.
Sharapova's return, the major talking point
Returning to playing her first major since 2016 Australian Open, Maria Sharapova remains a major crowd puller. She was denied wild card to French Open and pulled out of Wimbledon due to injury. The five-time Grand Slam champion, who is not in her best form, will face Romanian Simona Halep in the first round which is certain to be an entertainer.
What to expect from the draw?
Drawn in the same half, Nadal and Federer could potentially meet in the US Open Semis. Interestingly, the two have never faced each other before at the US Open. Zverev's potential opponents on the way to final include Cilic, John Isner and Jack Sock. Possible women's quarter-final matches- Halep vs Johanna Konta, Muguruza vs Venus Williams, Elina Svitolina vs Kerber, and Pliskova vs Kuznetsova.
