US Open Predictions: Quarter by Quarter

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I will breakdown all four quarters of the draw in the US Open. I will have my favorites, surprises and upsets for each one.

Roger Federer's Quarter:

Fed doesn't have too hard of a quarter. He has a few players trying to rejuvinate a bad season (James Blake) and some that are trying to finish a good season well (Robin Soderling) Roger's most likely quarterfinal opponent is No. 8 Nikolay Davydenko.

His only tough matches should be aginst Davydenko and Lleyton Hewitt in the third round. Tommy Robredo could be trouble as Federer will most likely face him or James Blake in the fourth round. Sam Querrey should provide a spark after winning the US Open series. He could surprise many by going to the fourth round or even the quarters.

Favorite: Roger Federer

Surprises: Sam Querrey and James Blake

Favorites that will lose early: Tommy Robredo

Best first round match: Thiago Alves vs. Lleyton Hewitt.

Novak Djokovic's Quarter:

Djokovic faces some tough competition from fan-favorite Andy Roddick and Sapiniard Fernando Verdasco. The man who beat Novak at the French Open, Phil Kohlshreiber is also is his side of the draw. His most likely quarterfinal opponent is Roddick.

Novak may not even make it there as he faces the likes of Radek Stepanek or Kohlshreiber, two players that could create the upset in the fourth round. Expect to see John Isner play in to the third round. Roddick vs. Verdasco would be a great match if it could happen.

Favorite: Andy Roddick

Surprises: John Isner and Phil Kohlschreiber

Favorites that will lose early: Novak Djokovic

Best first round match: John Isner vs. Victor Hanescu

Rafael Nadal's Quarter:

Nadal has a pretty tough quarter, starting in the first round, where he takes on Richard Gasquet. As early as the third round there will be great matches. David Ferrer vs. Gael Monfils, Fernando Gonzalez vs. Tomas Berdych and Jo-Wilfrid Tsonga vs. Julien Benneteau.

Nadal probably face Tsonga in what should be a great quarter-final match. I wouldn't be surprised if Rajeev Ram can make it past Fernando Gonzalez.

Favorite Rafael Nadal

Surprises: Rajeev Ram and David Ferrer

Favorites that will lose early: Fernando Gonzalez

Best first round match: Rafael Nadal vs. Richard Gasquet

Andy Murray's Quarter:

The new world No. 2 has got the toughest draw of all. This draw includes the likes of Juan Martin Del Potro, Marin Cilic, Stanlias Wawrinka, Ivo Karlovic, and Gilles Simon. He will face Wawrinka, who took him to five sets at Wimbledon, or Cilic in the fourth round and rival Del Potro in the quarters.

That match would be nice. Even Dr. Ivo in the third round could cause trouble to the Brit. Guicconne and Ferrero are playing great and could be threats to the top seed. If Simon and Del Potro meet, we could be in for a great match.

Favorite: Andy Murray

Surprises: Juan Carlos Ferrero and Chis Gucconne

Favoites that will lose early: Gilles Simon

Best first round match: Taylor Dent vs. Feliciano Lopez

Bold Predictions

Semifinals

Roger Federer over Andy Roddick

Andy Murray over Rafael Nadal

Championship: Andy Murray over Roger Federer

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