US Open Tennis 2012: Which Superstar Is In For Embarrassing Exit?

The U.S. Open isn't going to be feature a ton of parity, but fans should expect at least one appointed favorite to make an early exit.

No matter how good one player is considered to be, even the most skilled players slip up now and again. The hard courts at Flushing Meadows are unforgiving, and a long summer schedule will lead to fatigue for some players.

Tennis has a very definite group of elite players.

With Rafael Nadal out of the mix, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer are the only "superstars" in the men's draw.

The women's draw is a bit trickier. Victoria Azarenka is the tournament's No. 1 seed, but her reputation pales in comparison to No. 4 seed Serena Williams and No. 3 seed Maria Sharapova.

For me, this comes down to one shocking upset. Are you ready?

The Swiss Maestro, Federer, will lose in the quarterfinals. Everyone stop throwing things, and think bold with me for a second.

Federer won five straight U.S. Open titles between 2004 and 2008. After that, he's made one finals appearance and two semifinal showings, but he hasn't advanced further than that. He's getting older, and things don't come as easily for the tennis icon.

Whether it be Nicolas Almagro or Tomas Berdych who faces him, one of them will pull a shocking upset.

I'd bank on Berdych. He's never advanced past the fourth round of this tournament, but he's enjoyed some success this year. He's the No. 6 seed, and his groundstrokes will give him a chance to upend FedEx in quarterfinal action.

It's hard to see any of the other star tennis players falling. Williams is enjoying one of the best stretches of her career. Djokovic has mastered these courts and is hungry after a tremendous disappointment in London, and Sharapova's draw matches up well with her strengths.

Anytime Federer loses before the finals come around, it's surprising. Even the semifinals are a bit disappointing for a player of his stature.

The 2012 U.S. Open will end in bitter defeat for Federer and utter jubilation for Berdych (or Almagro).

It's hard to fathom, but no player is perfect.