The editors of TENNIS Magazine and TENNIS.com weigh in with their predictions on who will be victorious at 2008 US Open.
James Martin, Editor in Chief
"Rafael Nadal-- After Rafa won Wimbledon, I wouldn't have pegged him to win the U.S. Open for no other reason than sheer exhaustion. Winning the French and Wimbledon, plus the Master Series in Toronto surely would have tired him out, right? Well, he stormed into Beijing and won gold there. He's having a season for the ages, and with Federer struggling to find his form, Nadal is poised to win the US Open to cap his near-perfect season. "
"Jelena Jankovic-- Jankovic got plenty of stick for becoming the No. 1 player, albeit briefly, this summer. It wasn't her fault the WTA's rankings are messed up and, let's face it, the women's tour has been hurt by injuries and erratic performances all year. It's the perfect vacuum for Jankovic to finally win her first Slam, and the perfect place. Jankovic is a drama queen, and the Open loves its performers.
Tom Perrotta, Senior Editor
"Rafael Nadal-- Nadal has never survived the U.S. Open quarterfinals. He’s certainly tired from traveling the world—Paris, London, Canada, America, Beijing, and back to America again—in search of major titles and gold medals. Yet how can you pick against him at this point? If he wins in Flushing, he claims the best season in tennis since Rod Laver in 1969. If he survives the first few rounds without having to work very hard, it will be tough for anyone to stop him.
Dark Horse: Juan Martin Del Potro, the 19-year-old Argentine who has won his last four tournaments, plays the sort of game that can discourage and overwhelm Nadal. But I’m not convinced he has the speed and stamina for a run at a major title."
"Serena Williams-- Four times is a charm. Williams has played more tennis this year than she has since 2002, when she was the best player in the world. She’s failed, however, to win a major title or a medal in singles at the Olympics. Serena has one more chance to show that she’s still the best in the business, or at least that she can’t be denied a major title when she’s working hard."
Jon Levey, Editor
"Andy Murray-- No doubt this is a reach pick. Murray hasn’t even made a Grand Slam semi yet and he’s in Nadal’s half of the draw. Still, the guard has been changing this year and Murray feels like the next guy to break through."
"Serena Williams-- She had big plans at the beginning of this year, but it hasn’t quite panned out for Serena. Even though she might have to go through her sister in the quarterfinals, I think Serena salvages her season with a title here."
Sarah Unke, Associate Editor
"Andy Murray-- Since he lost in the first round of the Olympics, Murray has had the most rest of those on the short-list for U.S. Open champion. Despite the early exit in Beijing, he should still be riding the confidence he gained from winning his first Masters Series title, in Cincinnati, where he beat one of his top rivals for the Open crown: Novak Djokovic. Plus, this Scot likes Zoo York. The U.S. Open is his favorite Slam."
"Jelena Jankovic-- With Maria Sharapova out, Ana Ivanovic nursing a sore thumb, and the Williams sisters always unpredictable, I'm going with Jankovic. She has played well at the U.S. Open the past couple of years, reaching the semis in2006 and the quarters last year. The event suits her playful personality--under the lights of Ashe, her smile beams even brighter than usual. If she's going to win a Slam and prove she deserved her week at No. 1, this could be it."
Sarah Thurmond, Associate Editor
"Rafael Nadal-- This year, Rafael Nadal proved he's a serious contender on the hard-court surface with wins in Toronto and Beijing. His confidence is so high right now, I don't see anyone stopping him from winning his third Slam of the year. But if there is going to be a party crasher, it's Juan Martin del Potro, a future Top 5 player who had four consecutive tournament wins this summer. With nothing to lose, he's the dangerous one."
"Dinara Safina-- Dinara Safina blew it against Elena Dementieva in the Olympics gold medal match, but I'm counting on her letting go of that nightmare (all 17 double faults of it) and returning to her more focused and restrained self. She's done too well to not have a break-through Slam and this is her chance. Dark horse: Dementieva. She won the gold and now maybe has the heart (and head) of a major champion."
Kamakshi Tandon, Associate Editor
"Andy Murray-- For the first Slam in years, the perennial picks don't seem like such a sure thing. Federer hasn't been playing well enough, and Nadal has been playing almost a little too well -- he could be ripe for an upset after such a physically and emotionally intense summer. That leaves the door open for Djokovic and Murray, and the balance is slightly in Murray's favor because he's a bit more rested after losing early at the Olympics.
Watch out for some dangerous lurkers like del Potro in Murray's section, though Djokovic may have the bigger task with Roddick in the quarterfinals providing (providing) Roddick is playing well enough to get that far."
"Dinara Safina-- "Winning the tournament might be easier that trying to pick who's going to be the woman's US Open champion this year, with fully eight legitimate contenders but none without significant mental or physical question marks. Safina is the form horse, but expecting her to win might be the biggest obstacle to her actually winning."
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