US Open Tennis 2012: Why Tommy Haas Is a Genuine Threat

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Tommy Haas might be ranked only No. 23 on the ATP Tour, but he has the ability to punch much above what the statistics show!

Having reached a high of No. 2 in the ATP rankings way back in 2002, Haas is still coming up with results, especially against players ranked in the Top 10 of the draw.

In fact, in June he won the Halle tournament defeating Roger Federer on grass at the age of 34. Just like old wine, Haas is getting better with age.

In the US Open, Haas is seeded No. 21 in the men's draw, which gives him a good chance for him to create a few upsets in his half.

From the looks of the draw, it appears that Haas will meet Richard Gasquet in the third round of the US Open (provided both make it there).

Gasquet will do well not to treat Haas lightly in this match for the veteran has shown that he has the capacity to trouble (and defeat) the best in the game.

Let's look at the players he has defeated this year already.

David Nalbandian at Toronto and Cincinnati

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David Nalbandian may not be the player he once was, but he can trouble the best on a good day.

He has had no answer for Haas during his matches in consecutive tournaments at Toronto and Cincinnati.

Radek Stepanek at Toronto

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Radek Stepanek can be a pain in the backside for many a player when his game gets going.

Even he had no answer for Haas at Toronto in the Masters 1000 tournament.

Marin Cilic at Hamburg

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Marin Cilic was a casualty at the hands of Haas in Hamburg in the semifinals.

Cilic, in fact, lost the second set without winning a single game!

Mardy Fish at Washington

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On the hard courts in Washington, Mardy Fish (ranked No. 15 then) lost to Haas in the semifinals.

Fish will be playing in his home slam, but that might not be enough if these two players end up playing against each other in Flushing Meadows.

Giles Simon at Hamburg

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Defeating Simon at Hamburg on the clay was another feather in the cap of Haas, especially defeating him after a tough first set.

Haas continued his dominance against Simon on the hard court as well, defeating him in the Masters 1000 tournament in Toronto.

Tomas Berdych at Halle

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Tomas Berdych was ranked seventh when he was defeated by Haas at Halle.

A gritty battle ensued between the two with the German winning in three sets.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in Munich

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In April 2012, Haas defeated Tsonga (then ranked No. 5) at the clay tournament in Munich.

It was no close defeat for Tsonga—a straight-set drubbing (6-1, 6-4) at the hands of the rejuvenated Haas.

Clay might not be Tsonga's favorite surface, but this performance showed that Haas was a force to be reckoned with once again.

Roger Federer at Halle

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Finally, the big fish!

Beating Roger Federer on grass (even though it was at Halle, not Wimbledon) is no small achievement.

Tommy Haas did exactly that in straight sets to win the title over his good friend who was then ranked third in the world.

This victory meant that Haas jumped from No. 87 in the ATP Tour to a respectable 50.

It was just the tonic needed for the German to raise his game to the next level, eventually reaching No. 22 before the US Open.