The 2018 US Open is the fourth and final major Grand Slam of the year. This edition is the 138th of the tournament and would be the last Grand Slam to have 32 seeds.
The 2018 championship kicks off today at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens, New York. We are in for two weeks of exciting tennis.
We shall focus on some of the top contenders for the US Open titles.
MALE CATEGORY
RAFAEL NADAL
Best Result at US Open – Champion (2010, 2013 & 2017)
The 2017 US Open champions is one of the favorite for this year’s championship. The World’s number one has competed 13 times in Flushing Meadows winning the three titles and he has won a Grand Slam this year in Paris. His semi-final defeat to Novak Djokovic was tough to take but the defending US Open Championsip looked sharp in Toronto and will be battle ready.
Rafa kicks off his 2018 US Open campaign against his country man David Ferrer.
ROGER FEDERER
Best Result at US Open – Champion (2004 – 2008)
At 37, Roger Federer is still considered a contender for a major. The Swiss master is still competing at the highest level and his Australia Open success in January is a testament to it when he claimed his 20th major. It’s a full decade since he won his last title in Flushing Meadows; Roger would be aiming for a sixth this year. He has been handed a tough draw and will do well to make it all the way. With a possible third round meeting against Nick Kyrgois and a quarter final against Novak Djokovic, Federer has to be at his supreme best in New York.
Federer first round opponent is Yoshihito Nishioka
ALEXANDER ZVEREV
Best Result at US Open – Second Round
Alexander Zverev talent is undeniable but his achievements in the sport is not proportionate to the hype. Zverev Grand Slam record has been abysmal; managing a quarter final berth at Roland Garros this year. Improving on his second round exit at Flushing Meadows is an objective for the young German.
Peter Polansky is Zverev first round opponent.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC
Best Result at US Open – Champion (2011 & 2015)
2018 US Open is Nole’s 13th edition. Without a doubt, Djokovic is one of the favorites to win the year’s final major. After winning at Wimbledon, the Serb is eyeing a back-to-back major win – something no one has managed in the last year. A quarter final meeting with Roger Federer is on the cards if both men make it.
Djokovic’s first round opponent is Marton Fucsovics.
KEVIN ANDERSON
Best Result at US Open – Runner up (2017)
Anderson is proving he is more than just a big serve player. Having reached the final at Flushing Meadows last year and the Wimbledon this year, Kevin needs the extra zest to win his first Grand Slam. Can he replicate the form that has seen him upset some big guns at the majors?
Kevin will play against home boy Ryan Harrison in his first match.
JUAN MARTIN DEL POTRO
Best Result at US Open – Champion (2009)
His 2009 victory was a huge upset against Roger Federer which he has not been able to replicate. Juan has been quite unlucky with injuries which has affected his performances and appearance at majors. This edition is his tenth and he would look to build a head of steam as the tournament progresses. On his day, he can be unplayable and this is his preferred surface.
Homeboy Donald Young is Del Potro’s first hurdle at Flushing Meadows.
MARIN CILIC
Best Result at US Open – Champion (2014)
Marin loves the hard courts because it suits his big strokes. Since winning the 2014 edition of the US Open, his performances in New York hasn’t been up to expected standard. The Croat started the year on an impressive note in Australia finishing as runner up but his form has nosedived; losing to a qualifier at Wimbledon.
In the first round, Marin Cilic squares off against Marius Copil.
JOHN ISNER
Best Result at US Open – Quarter final
He can expect a lot of love and support from the crowd when he takes center court as he is in rich form playing some of his best tennis. His epic Wimbledon semi-final showdown against Kevin Anderson is an epitome of his 2018 form. Replicating similar run in New York in front of his compatriots would see him better his best run at this competition.
John will face Bradley Klahn in the first round of 2018 US Open competition.
FEMALE CATEGORY
SIMONA HALEP
Best Result at US Open – Semi Final
Simona got the reward she deserved at Roland Garros winning her first major after a few heartbreaks. Can she do it again at another Slam? Her Montreal success shows she can do on the hard surface too. Halep has been fortunate with her draw this year and she may just require all the luck needed to earn her first final berth.
Simona kicks off his 2018 US Open campaign against Kaia Kanepi.
SLOANE STEPHENS
Best Result at US Open – Champion (2017)
The defending champion has had an amazing year where she has rose to prominence. Sloane has won a Grand Slam and played another final. In between these success, she has also crashed out in the first round of the two other Slams. Back in New York, she would be gunning for the big prize again.
Stephens first round opponent is Evgeniya Rodina.
ANGELIQUE KERBER
Best Result at US Open – Champion (2016)
The number 4 seed will be competing at her 11th US Open. Angelique will hope to add another to her 2016 title; her victory in Wimbledon over Serena has to be her highlight of the year. She is one of the favorites, if she is on song, she can blow anyone away.
Margarita Gasparyan is Kerber opening round opponent.
CAROLINE WOZNIACKI
Best Result at US Open – Runner up (2009 & 2014)
2018 started with a bang for Caroline in Australia; she picked up the year’s first major but injuries have blighted the season. It’s been tough for the World’s number two who will be eyeing her first US Open crown.
Wozniacki’s first round opponent is Samantha Stosur.
VENUS WILLIAMS
Best Result at US Open – Champion (2000, 2001)
38 year old Venus will be competing in the US Open for the 20th time. A former champion in her younger days, Williams has had dreary season till date but underestimating her is at your own peril. It is refreshing seeing her competing at Flushing Meadows 21 years after she made her bow.
Venus will play Svetlana Kuznetsova in her first match.
GARBINE MUGURUZA
Best Result at US Open – Fourth Round
Inconsistency is one part of her game she needs to improve upon. No one knows which Gabby would turn out on the day; she is capable of winning a Slam as much as crashing out early. She crashed out in the Second Round of the Australia and Wimbledon Open but had a solid run in Roland Garros getting to the semi-final.
Shuai Zhang is Muguruza’s first hurdle at Flushing Meadows.
SERENA WILLIAMS
Best Result at US Open – Champion (1999, 2002, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2014)
Serena is back at Flushing Meadows. After winning the 2014 crown, she was a semi-finalist in 2015 and 2016. Absent for the last year’s edition due to her daughter birth but she is back competing. Fourth Round in the French Open and finalist in Wimbledon, slowly, Serena is getting her groove back. Unfortunately her seeding for this competition means she could meet a top 16 opponent as early as the Third Round.
In the First Round, Serena Williams squares off against Magda Linette.
The next fortnight at Flushing Meadows should provide a lot of excitement in New York for tennis enthusiasts. Do not enjoy the game alone, predict and win big by visiting Babaijebu.ng for mouthwatering offers for the 2018 US Open Tennis Championship.