Roger Federer: Predicting Fed-Ex's Path to US Open Final

Roger Federer will be eager and well-rested when the U.S. Open kicks off from the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, NY on Monday. 

Having sat out the Rogers Cup in Toronto to recover, Federer should be full steam ahead in his first round match up against American Donald Young. 

The world's current No. 1 ranked player is coming off two confidence-boosting performances at this year's third major, the Wimbledon Championship, and at the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati.

Federer's win at Wimbledon was the seventh of his career and his 17th Slam title overall, extending his record of most Grand Slam titles ever. He went through then No.1 Novak Djokovic in the semifinals and won a come from behind victory over Andy Murray in the finals.

His win at the Western & Southern Open last week provided a finals victory over Djokovic in consecutive sets. 

In the 2012 U.S. Open, Federer is a heavy favorite to win it all, along with No. 2 Djokovic, No. 3 Murray, and No. 4 David Ferrer of Spain, who replaced Rafael Nadal in tennis' "Big Four" as Nadal will skip the tournament.

The Swiss, who was drawn into the same bracket as Murray, seems to be a lock to meet the Brit in the semifinals. Only a dramatic upset or freak accident stands in the way of this match up. 

The last time these two met was in July at the Summer Olympics final, in which Murray commanded Federer around the court to take the gold medal in straight sets. It was uncharacteristic play from Federer and should not be reflective of his performance at this week's Open.

The 23-year-old, Donald Young, who Federer faces in the first round, was ranked as high as No. 38 in the ATP World Tour Rankings, but has dropped 20 of 22 matches this season to drop to No. 80.

Needless to say, Young should not be a problem for Federer.

A highly-ranked opponent won't come Federer's way until a possible third round match up against Spain's No. 25 ranked Fernando Verdasco, who hasn't had any success this year.

Mardy Fish of the U.S., currently No. 23 in the world, could face off against Federer in the fourth round.

Fish opted out of the Summer Olympic Games to train on hard courts in California. According to John Jeansonne of Newsday, the American stated, "I think it's a major advantage for me. I feel fresh and strong." 

World No. 6 Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic will likely take on Federer in the quarterfinals.

Berdych reached the 2010 Wimbledon finals and the 2010 French Open semi-finals; most recently, he reached the 2012 Madrid Open finals but lost to Federer. He did win in Montpellier in February.

The only obstacle to a Federer and Murray semifinal would be France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who currently is the world No. 5. 

Otherwise, those two will likely battle it out to meet Djokovic in a heated finals match.