On the eve of the 2014 US Open, I'm sure that whoever is reading this can hardly wait for the best two weeks of tennis to start! But just so that you don't get overwhelmed and spaz out due to all the excitement, I will give you ten things to look for over the coming two weeks in both the Men's and Women's draws.
1. Watch how Novak Djokovic does early
Novak Djokovic is my pick to win the Men's Singles title, but after early losses in Cincinnati and Toronto to Tommy Robredo and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, my pick looks at least a little bit dicey. It will be interesting to see if Djokovic has any hiccups before the Quarterfinals in which he is scheduled to face either Andy Murray or Jo-Wilfried Tsonga again. As for the Quarterfinals, it will also be interesting to see if either Murray or Tsonga gives Djokovic a real run for his money.
2. Watch how Victoria Azarenka does early
The real mystery player in the Women's Singles draw is Victoria Azarenka. When healthy, she is the best hard court player in the women's game. But with all the injuries she has had, she finds herself seeded #16. If she can make it to the Round of 16 to face #3 Petra Kvitova, then we have to consider here a serious threat to win the title. But until she gets to that point, all eyes will be on her to see if she is healthy and ready to make a serious push in a Grand Slam.
3. Will Andy Murray have a bounce back event?
After winning his two Grand Slams at the US Open and Wimbledon, things have suddenly turned rather quiet for Andy Murray after losing in the Quarterfinals of the Australian Open and Wimbledon earlier in the season. While he did reach the Semifinals of the French Open, he is yet to reach a Grand Slam Final this year. Will he end the drought at the US Open this week? It's hard to say given that Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Novak Djokovic are in his half the draw, but if he plays up to his full potential, he could make a really deep run and knock out both of those players.
4. Will Sloane Stephens come back from the dead?
Going into this season, Sloane Stephens was coming off of her best season in which she reached the Semifinals of the Australian Open and the Quarterfinals of Wimbledon. Everybody thought that 2014 was going to be more fruitful for her, but so far this year, she has failed to get past the 4th round of any Grand Slam. Will the young American recapture the magic from 2013 in front of the home crowd in New York City? Fortunately, she has Angelique Kerber and Jelena Jankovic in her section of the draw, which means if she gets passed them, she will make the Quarterfinals. I like her odds to do get passed both of them. Beyond that, it's tough to say. Agnieszka Radwanska seeded 4th is projected to be waiting in the Quarterfinals and her consistency will definitely give Stephens a real challenge.
5. Will John Isner show any signs of life?
John Isner finds ways to let down American tennis fans every year at the US Open and while I don't expect things to change this year, a lot of attention will be on him as he is the top ranked American man. Maybe he'll take Novak Djokovic to a 5th set tiebreaker in the 4th round and shock the world. I doubt he will, but American tennis fans can still hope.
6. Will Eugenie Bouchard get even with Petra Kvitova?
Eugenie Bouchard, who currently is seeded #7 just so happens to be projected to face #3 Petra Kvitova in the Quarterfinals. What makes this awesome is that this would be a rematch of the Wimbledon Final! A rematch against Kvitova would be an awesome test for Bouchard. It would also be interesting to see what adjustments she makes after not fairing so well in the Wimbledon Final.
7. Does Roger Federer have one more Grand Slam title in him?
Somehow I believe that Roger Federer still has at least one more Grand Slam title left in him. With Rafael Nadal out, Novak Djokovic struggling as of late, and Andy Murray in a bit of a funk, this certainly would be a good time to pick him to go all the way.
8. Will Simona Halep continue to back up the hype?
Simona Halep is having a career year, notching trips to the Quarterfinals of the Australian Open, Final of the French Open, and Semifinals of Wimbledon. Her fantastic play has gotten her the #2 seed in the US Open and she will once again have to prove that she belongs among the game's elite. It will be interesting to see if she makes another deep run in a Grand Slam to close out the year.
9. Look for Novak Djokovic to win it all
When all is said and done, I expect Novak Djokovic to win the US Open. His Wimbledon title this year overshadows his recent struggles in Cincinnati and Toronto, and with Rafael Nadal out and Andy Murray struggling, only Roger Federer can be said to pose any sort of serious threat to him. I personally think that if Djokovic were to face Federer in the US Open Final, he would get it done. Winning Wimbledon I think gives Djokovic a lot of confidence going into this year's US Open. Especially since hard court is his favorite surface.
10. Serena Williams better win because otherwise I have no idea who to pick to win the Women's title
Serena Williams hasn't won a Grand Slam all season and so naturally it feels like she is due to win a Grand Slam again. Ana Ivanovic, who stunned her in Australia is projected to face her in the Quarterfinals, but I doubt lightning strikes twice on that front after seeing Serena Williams beat Ivanovic three times since Australia. Na Li's absence and Victoria Azarenka's injury woes make Serena Williams the clear favorite to win the Women's Singles title at the US Open. If she doesn't, then we're looking at a seven to eight horse race for the title with it really being anybody's ball game.
---Ben Parker: follow me on twitter @atp_guy
