US Open Tennis TV Schedule 2012: Top Players to Watch on Thursday

After yet another great day of tennis at the 2012 U.S. Open, we head into Thursday's action with some enticing second-round matchups.

We have the men's No. 1 player in the world and the women's No. 4 player in the world hitting the courts in Flushing on Thursday, gunning for another Grand Slam singles title to add to their collections.

Here's a look at the players to keep an eye out for on Thursday, complete with the TV schedule below.

Men

Roger Federer

Federer has to be the favorite in the tournament, especially with Rafael Nadal out with tendinitis and Novak Djokovic not playing at the same level as in 2011. 

Federer has been the best player in men's tennis this season, compiling a 56-7 record with six singles titles before the U.S. Open. This includes his 17th career Grand Slam singles title at Wimbledon and a win at the Western & Southern Open this month.

Federer faces Bjorn Phau on Thursday after dispatching Donald Young in straight sets in the first round.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, ranked No. 6 in the world, has gone 40-16 this season, including a victory to start off the year in Qatar.

Known for his battles with Federer and Nadal, Tsonga beat Federer in Qatar in January, but he's lost once to Nadal and twice to Djokovic this season.

Tsonga goes up against Martin Klizan on Thursday.

Milos Raonic

Milos Raonic is just 21 years old, but he's already grabbed the world's attention, led by a dominant serve.

After going 31-19 last season, Raonic has gone 33-14 this year while capturing two singles titles in San Jose and Memphis. 

This year, Raonic ranks second in aces (733), first in first serve points won and first in break points saved. 

The youngster matches up against Paul Henri-Mathieu on Thursday.

Women

Serena Williams

The odds-on favorite to win the U.S. Open this year, Serena Williams has enjoyed a spectacular season, going 46-4 with five singles titles, including a victory at Wimbledon. She also won a singles gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics.

Williams will be facing off with Maria Jose Martinez on Thursday, aiming to get back on track after a loss to Angelique Kerber in the quarterfinals of the Western & Southern Open.

Angelique Kerber/Venus Williams

Speaking of Angelique Kerber, the world No. 6 has compiled a 53-16 record this year with two singles titles. She's also beaten Venus twice this year, at the 2012 London Olympics and at the Madrid Open.

As for Venus, the 32-year-old isn't the same player as she once was, but she did make it to the semifinals of the Western & Southern Open this month before losing Li Na in three sets. The seven-time Grand Slam singles champion still has some tricks up her sleeve.

Agnieszka Radwanska

Agnieszka Radwanska, ranked No. 2 in the world, has a 48-14 record this year, including three singles titles. The Polish 23-year-old has never won a Grand Slam singles title, but she reached the final at Wimbledon this year before losing to Serena.

Radwanska is coming off a straight-set victory over Nina Bratchikova in the first round and will face Carla Suarez-Navarro on Thursday.

TV Schedule (via USOpen.org)

Time (ET)	Matches/Programming	Network
10:30 a.m.-11 a.m.	Breakfast at the US Open	Tennis Channel
11 a.m.-7 p.m.	Second Round	Tennis Channel
11 a.m.-7 p.m.	Second Round	ESPN2
7 p.m.-11 p.m.	Primetime at the US Open: Second Round	ESPN2
11 p.m.-6 a.m.	US Open Tonight	Tennis Channel

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