US Open Tennis 2012: Top Contenders to Beat Roger Federer at Year's Final Major

Roger Federer has established himself as the player to beat for the rest of the year after winning his seventh Wimbledon title and reclaiming the No. 1 ranking. The Swiss star has won five U.S. Open championships, the second most of any major.

Let's take a look at three players with the best chance of knocking off Federer in New York. Notably absent from the list is Rafael Nadal, who lost in the second round at the All England Club and hasn't won a tournament on a surface other than clay since 2010.

Andy Murray

Murray has made progress under coach and former top-ranked player Ivan Lendl, showcasing more aggressiveness instead of relying purely on defense, but he still hasn't been able to break through on a Grand Slam stage.

He took the first set from Federer in the Wimbledon Final, giving British fans a hope their long drought was finally about to end. He just hasn't able to hang with one of the greatest players ever. It was another step in the right direction, though.

After a busy summer of action, Murray should be in top form by the time the U.S. Open rolls around. The surface suits his game a little better than Wimbledon and should maximize his chances of taking down Federer.

Novak Djokovic

It wasn't until Federer eliminated Djokovic in the semifinals of Wimbledon that it became obvious how good he was really playing. Djokovic had won most of the recent head-to-head matchups, but he was no match for the in-form Federer.

One loss doesn't erase all the incredible matches the defending U.S. Open champion has played over the past couple years. He will be a strong contender thanks to his wide variety of shots and consistency, which allow him to cruise through the early rounds.

The key for him getting back on top against Federer is being the aggressor. Too many times at Wimbledon he was forced to defend and that's just not enough to beat his main rival. He knows it and will change things before the Open.

Juan Martin del Potro

The trio of Federer, Djokovic and Nadal have won 29 of the last 30 major tournaments. The only player to break through during that amazing streak is Del Potro, who won the U.S. Open three years ago by beating Federer in the Final.

After that triumph, he was slowed down by a nagging wrist injury and has had to work his way back up the ladder. Now healthy, the surface plays in his favor and his past success in New York should give him the confidence he needs to make a deep run.

His raw power gives him a chance in any match, so it's just about rediscovering the consistency that allowed him to shock the tennis world three years ago. If there's any sleeper players with a realistic chance of winning it all, it's Del Potro.