US OPEN 2008 - The Tennis Players to Watch

This year's US Tennis Open is the most fascinating forgrand slam for the first time at Wimbledon this year.
many years. Men's tennis has been shaken up by theHe needs to improve his grand slam performances
previously invincible Roger Federer's recent form andbefore he is considered a bona fide challenger.
the dominance of the young tyro's Nadal and Djokovic.The women's tour remains as colourful and
The WTA tour is similarly unpredictable with a clutchunpredictable as ever. Serena and Venus will be
of Russians, Serbians and William's sisters are alldesperate to repeat their performance at Wimbledon
capable of claiming the last grand slam title for thein which Venus beat Serena in the singles final and
year.they won the girls doubles. A gold medal for doubles at
Rafael Nadal has a gold medal and the mantle as thethe Olympics will only improve their frame of mind as
world's numer one tennis player to celebrate as hethey attempt to win their home grand slam.
heads to this year's US Open. His monumental victoryA trifecta of medals at the Olympics reinforced the
over Federer at Wimbledon and subsequent majorstrength and depth of Russian tennis. The absence of
victories in Toronto and at the Olympics confirms he isMaria Sharapova removes Russia's best player and a
clearly the world's best player. He has never hadhigh degree of glamour from the event but several
outstanding results at the US Open the hard courtsother Russians will be searching for grand slam glory.
have tended to aggravate Nadal's knee injuries but thisPerhaps Marat Safin's younger sister Dinara Safina is
year he seems poised to win a third straight grandbest placed. Runner up at the French Open and the
slam title.Olympics, the previously combustible Safina seems to
His job will not be made easy by the great Federer.have found some calm and her results have been
An Olympic gold medal in doubles will have boosted hisimpressive since her breakthrough at the French and
confidence, but the string of losses to players he onceher ranking has reached 6 in the world.
dominated is of major concern. Most recently he hasThat the previously war torn nation of Serbia has the
lost to Simon, Karlovic and Blake early in tournamentsworld 1st and 2nd ranked female players is
to concede his number one ranking. Perhaps his illnessextraordinary. Ana Ivanovic and Jelena Jankovic bring
at the start of the Australian season continues to keepcharisma, glamour and talent to the court and both will
him below his best; or the absence of a full time coachbe hoping they can complement their superb seasons
is affecting his preparation and motivation. Whateverwith a grand slam title. It could be Jankovic's turn; her
the reason it will take a magnificent effort for Federerrecent (but short lived) stint as world number one will
to reclaim his number one ranking by the end of thegive her confidence but she can only win if her serve
year to do so would add to the Federer legend.improves and becomes more of a weapon.
The biggest challenge to Nadal will most likely comeWhile the excitement of the Olympic Games may
from Serbia's Novak Djokovic. A win over Rafa onhave led to a subdued lead up to the US Open you
the hard courts at Cincinnati only confirmed Djokovic'scan always guarantee New York will serve up the glitz
US Open credentials. Last year's runners up will be aand glamour. The evening session at the US Open is
major contender again. Outside the big three, Andyan experience as different from Wimbledon centre
Murray looms as a wildcard. Murray, thecourt as you can get. Look for the great outfits the
temperamental Scot, beat Djokovic to win theplayers wear, Federer's "tux" and Sharapova's evening
Cincinnati Masters and is a threat to all the maingown were the highlights last year. Most of all look
favourites. The question mark over Murray is hisforward to some superb tennis as the world's best
Grand slam record, he reached the quarter finals of acompete for glory on Arthur Ashe stadium.