Sam Querrey: Can the American Finish the Year Within the Top 15?

Even with the majority of the world's top 50 competing in the Summer Olympics being held at the All-England Club, the ATP World Tour has a tournament in Washington, DC this week. It boasts a solid field, led by such players as Mardy Fish, Alexandr Dolgopolov and Tommy Haas.

Also lurking in the draw at the Citi Open is last week's Farmers Classic champion Sam Querrey, who won that title for the third time in his career. The American's solid form throughout his run there suggests he's back playing top-level tennis.

Now, the question is, how high can he go?

The 24-year-old is peaking at just the right time of the year for him—the summer hard-court season. Over the past few years, Querrey has often been a force post-Wimbledon. However, last year was mostly marred by injury, and Querrey had to put in overtime to get himself back into the top 40, where he currently stands.

2010 was a practical dream season, a year in which he won four singles titles, including one on the red clay in Europe and another on grass at a large Wimbledon tuneup. But from then up until this point, there's been a lot of time off the court rehabbing injuries or on pro tennis' challenger circuit.

Now, though, Querrey has reached a major milestone with an ATP-level tournament victory, the seventh of his career. He enters Washington as the hottest player in the draw right now, and with his big serve and forehand, he has the potential to go far in the draw.

How far he goes in the rankings will be determined in the next few months. His career high is 17, and a good run the next few months could see him eclipse that. The tournaments ahead will play to his strengths. A return to the top 20—or higher—isn't out of the question.