Roger Federer: 5 Opponents Sure to Give FedEx Trouble

Roger Federer, the top-ranked tennis player in the world, is the hands down favorite to win the 2012 U.S. Open.

Federer is looking to build on his Wimbledon championship by adding another U.S. Open championship to his resume. He is a five-time U.S. Open champion, winning five consecutive years from 2004-2008.

His confidence level is high, as evident by his comments in a press conference on Saturday (via USOpen.org).

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I'm just happy how I'm playing.  I already reached my goal for the year becoming world No. 1 and getting Wimbledon again and getting a medal for Switzerland.  It's been incredible. But I do have this one left for me this year where I really, really want to do well, and I couldn't be more happy returning here as No. 1.  It's super exciting.

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Since Rafael Nadal withdrew from the tournament, the amount of probable competition for Federer is slim. Even Federer admits the tournament would be better with his rival in the mix.

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I think it's not the end of the world, but it's obviously much better if he were to be here.  There's no doubt about that.

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In Nadal’s absence, here are the top five players that will pose the biggest threat to Federer winning his sixth U.S. Open title.

5. Milos Raonic

Milos Raonic is competing in his second U.S. Open.

The 21-year-old Canadian has surged since the beginning of 2011, watching his world ranking increase from No. 156 to No. 16. He is armed with a very strong serve that has helped him lead the ATP in first serve points won, break points saved and aces per match.

Raonic has also held his own against Federer a couple times this season.

If the stars can align perfectly and his serve remain dominant, he could make a surprise run at the U.S. Open.

4. John Isner

John Isner comes into the U.S. Open ranked No. 10 in the world.

He has struggled in Grand Slam events this year, advancing no farther than the third round. He was bounced from Wimbledon in the first round in a very disappointing performance.

Isner should bounce back well in the U.S. Open.

He was able to make it to the quarterfinal round in last year’s U.S. Open. The 6’9” American has the luck of the draw this year and should be able to play his way at least into the semifinals.

3. Juan Martin Del Potro

Juan Martin Del Potro is the current No. 8 ranked player in the world. He is also the only man not named Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal or Roger Federer to win a Grand Slam since the 2005 Australian Open.

Del Potro had to defeat Federer to win the 2009 U.S. Open and could repeat the feat in 2012.

It took everything Federer had earlier this month to defeat the Argentinian in the semifinals match in the Olympic Games. The match took a record four hours and 26 minutes to complete. The loss was one of six losses to Federer this year, including the Australian Open and Roland Garros.

Del Potro’s forehand shot has been his strength, and he will need it to be at its best if he has any hopes of winning his second U.S. Open.

2. Andy Murray

Andy Murray bounced back from his Wimbledon loss to Roger Federer to defeat him for the gold medal at the Olympic Games. Now they find themselves on the same side of the draw in the 2012 U.S. Open.

Murray, the No. 4 ranked player in the world, is searching for the first Grand Slam win of his career. He has been the runner-up four times, including the 2008 U.S. Open.

The 2012 U.S. Open could be when the bridesmaid finally becomes the bride.

Murray said in an interview Saturday, the strong performances at Wimbledon and the Olympic Games have helped boost his confidence. (via usopen.org)

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There has been a number of weeks since Wimbledon and a number of weeks since the Olympics as well, so I don't know ‑‑ I mean, the one thing it has given me is a bit more confidence probably. But I needed to make sure that afterwards, you know, I worked hard.  That's the most important thing.  Whether you're confident or not confident, providing you work hard and you do all the right things in training, then you'll get a good result. That was the most important thing, to make sure I kept my feet on the ground and keep working hard and try to improve.

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His recent results make it apparent that he has been putting in the work to try to get over the hump to win his first Grand Slam.

1. Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic started the year strong winning the 2012 Australian open. His performance has been less impressive since with a runner-up finish at Roland Garros and getting eliminated in the semifinals at Wimbledon.

Djokovic, currently ranked No. 2 in the world, is the defending U.S. Open champion and is looking to regain his top ranking.

Djokovic’s draw would allow him to make it to the finals without having to face either Roger Federer or Andy Murray. However, as he stated in an interview Saturday, doesn’t believe in a perfect draw. (via usopen.org)

I don't think there is a perfect draw, to be honest with you. The draw is something that you cannot affect. It's a question of luck, obviously. You know, there are 128 players here who have plenty of motivation to perform their best in the Grand Slam, the last major of the year, so I'm sure that they want to cause some upsets in the opening round. I'm truly taking one step at a time. You know, I had good and bad draws in the past, but as I said, it's something I cannot affect, so I'm not calculating or predicting anything. I'm just trying to focus on my game, which is the most important thing.

As it stands, David Ferrer is currently the toughest opponent he will likely face leading up to the finals.

Djokovic’s experience, skills and path to the finals should leave him fresher and make him most likely player other than Federer.

Jamal Wilburg is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report.

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