US Open 2015: Americans with the Best Chance of Reaching Week 2

The final Grand Slam of the 2015 season is ready to take hold of New York. What a fitting place for one of the biggest spectacles in sports.

And this year's edition of the U.S. Open will have a patriotic feel as both the men's and women's draws are loaded with American players.

For well over a decade, Serena Williams has carried the flag for her country and emerged as its leading force. Still going strong at age 33, she's now fighting for a prestigious piece of history this next fortnight.

But which of her comrades will pick up the slack and join Williams in leading the charge?

The following slides will highlight five Americans, Williams included, with a chance to reach at least the fourth round. Let the drama unfold.

Mardy Fish

Garrett Reid-USA TODAY Sports

Perhaps more of a sentimental choice, there's no denying the storybook moment a run from Mardy Fish would provide.

This is it for the 33-year-old Minnesotan. Slated to retire after the U.S. Open, the clock is ticking on Fish's tennis journey. 

And what a ride it has been.

Fish's well-chronicled struggles with arrhythmia and panic attacks kept him off the court for most of the last few years. Healthy and confident again, he's now searching for closure.

In Cincinnati, Fish showed flashes of his old brilliance, dominating Viktor Troicki in his opener and pushing Andy Murray in a tight loss. Those performances gave him valuable confidence.

He'll open in New York against young Italian Marco Cecchinato. A win there would probably send Fish to a meeting with a much tougher opponent: Feliciano Lopez.

Working in his favor is the 5-3 edge Fish holds in their head-to-head history. Could he squeeze out one last victory over the smooth-serving Spaniard? It's not impossible.

Where Fish would face his greatest threat is in the third round against (potentially) Milos Raonic. But a foot injury has hampered Raonic lately, throwing his fitness and form into question. As stout as he usually is, the Canadian is vulnerable while he continues to recover.

Fish obviously has a tough path to reach the second week. With a little bit of luck, he might actually be able to make that dream a reality.

Venus Williams

Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports

Venus Williams is clearly in the twilight of her celebrated career, those prime years now firmly behind her.

But never underestimate the heart of a champion.

The 35-year-old American enters New York with just one win since Wimbledon. Bounced in the first round of Toronto and forced to withdraw early from Cincinnati because of illness, Williams is decidedly short on momentum.

A two-time (2000, 2001) champion at the U.S. Open, she's failed to advance to the second week each of her last four tries.

Will this time be any different? 

Although the odds of seeing her last that long are shaky, she has a shot. Williams opens with Monica Puig, and a victory there would likely see her face countrywoman Irina Falconi in the second round. Both matches are winnable.

Should Williams reach the third round, a date with rising star Belinda Bencic could be in order. Bencic may have the advantage on paper, but Williams holds the trump card: a 3-0 record in their rivalry.

Don't count her out.

John Isner

Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports

John Isner qualifies as an underachiever at the Grand Slam level.

Although he's advanced to his share of semifinals and even finals at Masters Series events, those results haven't really translated to the biggest tournaments.

The only major quarterfinal Isner has advanced to was, fittingly, at the U.S. Open in 2011. As he returns to Flushing Meadows, the 6'10" American may have a chance to finally reach the second week here again.

That deadly serve makes him a dangerous opponent for anyone. It will be the weapon he needs in a possible second-round meeting with veteran Mikhail Youzhny. 

Standing between Isner and the second week could also be an equally prolific server in the form of Ivo Karlovic. But like his counterpart, the lanky Croatian only has one quarterfinal berth at a Grand Slam. Their matchup would very much be an even affair.

Whether Isner can beat Youzhny and Karlovic consecutively is unclear. But one thing is certain: There will be tiebreaks. 

Madison Keys

Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

Madison Keys is on a trajectory toward the upper echelon of women's tennis.

But like most young players, she's still learning how to consistently maintain her top form.

There have been flashes of greatness this year. Just look at her semifinal run at the Australian Open or quarterfinal showing at Wimbledon. Already at No. 19 in the world, Keys is charging hard at the Top 10.

Is she ready to take the next step?

The courts in Flushing Meadows should be a perfect fit for her power-heavy game. The Illinois native will certainly be under the microscope if she lasts until the third round. There, Keys could meet Agnieszka Radwanska, the woman who knocked her out in a three-set thriller at the All England Club a few weeks ago.

If Keys does survive the first week, she'd set up a potential clash with the next player on our list.

Serena Williams

STAN HONDA/Getty Images

OK, this one is a no-brainer. 

Barring any sort of sudden injury, Serena Williams is a near-universal lock to make not only the second week, but the final. She's the prohibitive favorite to win her seventh U.S. Open title and complete a historic calendar Grand Slam.

At 48-2 this season, Williams is on a level all her own. Titles, records and weary opponents have all come under her spell as she somehow keeps raising the bar higher and higher. All that separates her from immortality is another crown in New York

Her draw, however, isn't easy. Far from it. But the only player who can realistically mount an early challenge is another American, Sloane Stephens. Things won't truly become tricky until the later rounds.

Expect Williams to glide into the fourth round as the coronation draws nearer by the day.

All statistics are courtesy of ATPWorldTour.com and WTATennis.com unless otherwise noted. 

Joe Kennard is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. 

Follow @JoeKennard