2018 edition of US Open kicks off tonight
2018 US Open is scheduled to kick-off from today, August 27. After a long time, tennis fans will see Andy Murray, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic competing in the same tournament. Nadal is the defending champion as well as the top men's seed, this term. Among women, Simona Halep is the top seed. Here is the tournament preview.
Who are the favorites to pick up the trophy?
Enjoying a great form this year, Djokovic is the clear favorite to take home the US Open title. He has already won the Wimbledon and the Cincinnati Masters 1000, this season. Rafael Nadal, the defending champion, is also in great touch and cannot be ruled out as a favorite. Nadal has an advantage as there are no tough contenders in his draw.
Possible semi-finalists from first and second quarters
Nadal is the clear favorite in the first quarter where he will face compatriot David Ferrer in his first match. Kevin Anderson, the Wimbledon finalist, is the second highest seed, in this draw, and Dominic Thiem can also perform as well. From the second quarter, Wawrinka, Murray, and del Potro will be the ones who will be the clear favorites for the semi-final spot.
Possible semi-finalists from 3rd and 4th quarters
Sascha Zverev and Marin Cilic might fight it out from the third quarter to book a place in the semi-finals. The fourth quarter is the toughest as two of the all-time greats, Djokovic and Federer, have been drawn here. If current hard-court form is considered, Djokovic defeated Federer recently in the Cincinnati Masters and is the favorite to proceed to the semis.
The women's singles: Who are the favorites?
Defending champion, Sloane Stephens, six-time winner Serena Williams and the number one seed Simona Halep are the favorites to win the title. Stephens has put her ankle injury behind and played some attractive tennis recently. Williams reached the Wimbledon finals, this year, not long after she became a mother. Angelique Kerber is a strong contender for the title as well.
Top 10 seeds for men and women, TV listing
Men- Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Juan Martin del Potro, Alexander Zverev, Kevin Anderson, Novak Djokovic, Marin Cilic, Grigor Dimitrov, Dominic Thiem, David Goffin. Women- Simona Halep, Caroline Wozniacki, Sloane Stephens, Angelique Kerber, Petra Kvitova, Caroline Garcia, Elina Svitolina, Karolin Pliskova, Julia Goerges, Jelena Ostapenko. The matches will be telecast by Star India along with being available for streaming on Hotstar.
