What to expect from this US Open?

The US Open celebrates its 50th anniversary edition in New York over the next fortnight and a host of all-time greats, returning champions and fledging youngsters are raring to go…

Usual suspects ready to roll

Three Grand Slams so far this season and three different champions of the highest calibre.

Roger Federer (Melbourne), Rafael Nadal (Paris) and Novak Djokovic (Wimbledon) are fine tuning at Flushing Meadows and unsurprisingly dominate the talk of title favourites.

In a potentially pulsating quarter-final line-up Djokovic could take on Federer for the 19th time in a major (currently 12-6 in favour of the Serbian).

Djokovic, who opens his US Open against Hungary’s Marton Fucsovics, is officially back to his gladiatorial best, striking with precision and utilising his ridiculous retrieval skills.

Dismissing his injury troubles, Djokovic has incrementally built back to the top and sent out a signal for NYC with a commanding 6-4, 6-4 triumph over Federer in Cincinnati to clinch the Golden Masters.

Federer, who opens his US Open journey facing Japanese youngster Yoshihito Nishioka, was well off kilter in the Cincinnati finale, clattering 28 unforced errors.

Of course, Federer is a five-time champion in New York (2004-08), but he must have been concerned by the ease Djokovic had at crushing his return and teasing the mistakes off the Federer Wilson frame.

Over on the other half a rested world No.1 is poised for another title tilt. Reigning champion Nadal (2010, 2013, 2017) was in exquisite form in Toronto.

The 11-time Roland Garros champion was clubbing the ball, particularly effective on serve and looked in prime shape for New York.

The Spaniard takes on compatriot and Davis Cup team-mate David Ferrer in the first round with an imposing 24-6 record.

The rocket forehand of Kyle Edmund could be in store before a 2017 final rematch with fifth seed Kevin Anderson in the quarter-finals.

Can Roger recapture his Melbourne magic? Will Rafa continue from Rogers Cup? Can anyone nullify Novak? Quite the triumvirate leading the charge.

Comeback champions waiting in the wings

Juan Martin del Potro came through a grueling spell on the sidelines and thrived back in the US Open limelight in 2017 with a memorable semi-final comeback full of tears and rapturous receptions from the New York crowd.

This year the 2009 US Open champion tops a scintillating quarter of the draw which includes 2012 winner Andy Murray alongside 2016 victor Stan Wawrinka.

As del Potro is well aware, the route back from severe surgery is arduous and Murray, ranked now at No.378, finally makes his Grand Slam return after a 14-month absence with a hip injury.

The three-time Grand Slam champion evoked his desire to reach the peak of tennis once again with consecutive matches against Mackenzie McDonald, Kyle Edmund and Marius Copil going the distance in Washington.

Prevailing against Copil post 2am, Murray was reduced to floods of tears courtside as the emotion poured out.

The Scot is evidently desperate to reclaim his previous level and will begin his US Open quest against Australian James Duckworth, who has never progressed beyond the second round.

A blockbuster third round with del Potro could provide an early classic at the US Open.

Alongside Murray, Wawrinka is a wildcard!

Yes, you read that correctly. The Swiss has also contended with surgery but is finally free to unleash his explosive all-court artillery.

Remarkably, Wawrinka drew Grigor Dimitrov in the Wimbledon first round, prevailing 1-6, 7-6(3), 7-6(5), 6-4. Well, in another intriguing US Open encounter, the duo will duel again at the first hurdle in New York.

The 33-year-old slumped to defeat by Donald Young in his hard court opener, but dismissed the likes of Nick Kyrgios, Kei Nishikori and Diego Schwartzman during Rogers Cup and Cincinnati. Stan also pushed Nadal 5-7, 6-7(4) and Federer 7-6(2), 6-7(6), 2-6 in his US Open preparation, indicating the former champion is inching towards his destructive best.

Who is waiting in the wings?

How about this for a week’s work? Dominic Thiem, Alexander Zverev, Djokovic and Anderson. A quartet of top 10 talent cast aside by Gregarious Greek sensation Stefanos Tsitsipas at the Rogers Cup.

This time last year Tsitsipas was beaten 7-6(6), 3-6, 6-0 in the final round of US Open qualifying by Nicolas Mahut. It’s been a meteoric rise since.

The 20-year-old, soaring up to world No.15, oozes with exuberance, loves a diving volley, crowds are captivated by his energy, his charm and raw talent.

Tsitispas now has to translate his astonishing match wins at the likes of Masters 1000 events to try and crack the code at the majors.

A qualifier stands in his path and then possible ‘Next Gen’ encounters against Daniil Medvedev and Borna Coric await.

A second week ticket would present a huge accomplishment for Tsitsipas, a run Sascha Zverev would relish too in New York.

The world No.4, also drawn with a qualifier in New York, is desperate to ignite his Grand Slam legacy.

The towering German is only 21, but with three Masters 1000 trophies to his name, he’s proven he can beat the best. However, the major progress keeps evading his clutches.

A hard fought Roland Garros quarter-final in June was his best Grand Slam showing to date, a duel with 2014 champion Marin Cilic is penciled in at that point in New York.

Well, Zverev’s mental fortitude for major success has been dramatically boosted by the arrival of Murray’s former coach Ivan Lendl.

The Czech was integral for Murray breaking his Grand Slam duck at Flushing Meadows in 2012. This is a canny signing to team Zverev, but perhaps a bit too early for Sascha?