10 things to look for at the 2021 US Open

 

           

With the 2021 US Open starting on Monday, it is time for me to write my list of 10 things to look for at the final grand slam event of the year. If you want to take a look at the draws, click here. If you want to check out my 10 things to take away from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, click here. 

#1. Can Novak Djokovic bounce back from his disappointing Olympics? In my takeaways from the Olympics, I mentioned that Djokovic had a disappointing outing. Not just because he didn't get the gold, but because of the way he exited in a less than graceful manner. While he won't get the golden slam, a calendar slam is still on the table for him to get. It'll be interesting to see how Djokovic does and whether or not the pressure of a calendar slam will get to him. Personally, I do expect Djokovic to win it all. He's my pick. But it's not going to be easy. 

#2. Can Naomi Osaka get back on track? Naomi Osaka has had a weird summer. She pulled out of the French Open and skipped Wimbledon all together due to emotional reasons and then came back for the Olympics where she had an early exit. If there's an event where Osaka would get back on track, it's the US Open. She's won the event twice and her other two grand slam titles have come on the hardcourt at Australia. Osaka is trying to distance herself from what happened this summer, saying she didn't handle things well. The best way for her to fully put this all behind her is to win the US Open or at least make a deep run. We'll see if she can. 

#3. Can Daniil Medvedev go the distance? Daniil Medvedev showed promise by reaching the 2019 US Open final and he reached the 2021 Australian Open final earlier this year. He's definitely knocking on the door and hard court is his best surface. If there's a guy who you'd pick to upset Djokovic, Medvedev on paper would be the guy. He's #2 in the world and has the pieces to get it done. It's just a matter of him mentally having the belief that he can do it. 

#4. Can Ashleigh Barty contend? On paper, this seems like a dumb question. Ashleigh Barty is #1 in the world right now and she's coming off a Wimbledon title. Of course she can contend, right? What makes this a not so stupid question is the fact that she's never reached the quarterfinals at the US Open. It's always been a 4th round or earlier exit for her in New York. If Barty could breakthrough to win the US Open, she really would be cooking with gas and on her way to being the next dominant player in women's tennis. 

#5. Is Alexander Zverev ready to win a grand slam? After winning the gold medal in Tokyo, Alexander Zverev is gaining more momentum towards winning his first grand slam title. He's got the physical tools to do it and much like Medvedev, it's really all about the mental side and having that belief. If he can win the US Open, Zverev will be on the verge of being the next breakout star in men's tennis. 

#6. Can the American women make any noise with Serena Williams and Sofia Kenin out? Earlier this week, Serena Williams pulled out of the US Open due a torn hamstring while Sofia Kenin pulled out due to a positive COVID-19 test despite being fully vaccinated. Had they been healthy, they would have been among the favorites to win on the women's side. 

With Serena and Sofia out, it's going to be up to other American women to carry the torch and bring home the title. The most likely women to do it are (23) Jessica Pegula, (21) Coco Gauff, (26) Danielle Collins, (13) Jennifer Brady, Madison Keys, and Sloane Stephens. It'll be interesting to see if any of them can deliver the goods. One interesting thing to note is that Keys and Stephens face off in the first round. Not sure if that's good or bad for fans of American tennis. 

#7. Can Stefanos Tsitsipas make a deep run? Stefanos Tsitsipas is another rising star in tennis looking to move up. He's reached the semis of the Australian Open twice and reached the French Open final this year. However, he lost in the first round at Wimbledon and the third round at the Olympics, so it appears as though that run to the French Open final wore him out. It should also be noted that Tsitsipas' deepest run in the US Open has been to the third round in 2020. So a run to the quarterfinals or deeper would be a big deal for him. 

#8. Look for Jennifer Brady to win the women's title: With Serena Williams out and Naomi Osaka still finding her footing again, it's hard to pick a champion on the women's side, but I'm going to go out on a bit of a limb and pick Jennifer Brady to bring it home for the USA. She's the #13 seed and reached the semifinals of the 2020 US Open, where she lost to Naomi Osaka in three sets. I think she's got a great chance to go the distance and being the top ranked American should give her a little extra motivation. 

#9. Can Denis Shapovalov make Canada proud? Seeded #7, Denis Shapovalov is the highest rated Canadian player and more broadly speaking the highest rated North American on the men's side. He reached the quarterfinals of the 2020 US Open and the semifinals at Wimbledon, so he too is trending up. He doesn't get as much recognition as some of the other "next gen" guys, but he deserves to be in the same conversation as the rest of them. Maybe the 2021 US Open will be his big breakthrough. 

#10. Does Victoria Azarenka have another magical run in her? When Victoria Azarenka reached the US Open final last year, it was her first trip to a grand slam final since the 2013 US Open. She showed that she still has game and can still compete for grand slam titles. She's won the Australian Open twice (2012 and 2013) and has reached the US Open final three times (2012, 2013, and 2020). Maybe she has another run in her? It'll be fun to see! 

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