US Open Tennis 2013: TV Schedule and Predictions for Entire Tournament

The final Grand Slam of the year is here, folks, as the 2013 U.S. Open began play this week. If it goes anything like the three major tournaments that preceded it this season, it promises to be a scream. 

So who will win? And how can you watch all of the action?

Ask and ye shall receive. Let's take a look at the full television and streaming schedule, along with some predictions for the tournament. 

Full Television Schedule

Date	Time (ET)	Event	Network
Tuesday, August 27	11 a.m.-7 p.m 1 p.m-11 p.m.	Men’s and Women’s Round 1	Tennis Channel ESPN2/ESPN3
Wednesday, August 28	11 a.m.-7 p.m 1 p.m-11 p.m.	Men’s Round 1/Women’s Round 2	Tennis Channel ESPN2/ESPN3
Thursday, August 29	11 a.m.-7 p.m 1 p.m-11 p.m.	Men’s and Women’s Round 2	Tennis Channel ESPN2/ESPN3
Friday, August 30	11 a.m.-7 p.m 1 p.m-11 p.m.	Men’s Round 2/Women’s Round 3	Tennis Channel ESPN/ESPN3
Saturday, August 31	11 a.m-6 p.m 7 p.m.-11 p.m.	Men’s and Women’s Round 3	CBS/CBS Sports Network Tennis Channel
Sunday, September 1	11 a.m-6 p.m 7 p.m.-11 p.m.	Men’s Round 3/Women’s Round of 16	CBS/CBS Sports Network Tennis Channel
Monday, September 2	11 a.m-6 p.m 7 p.m.-11 p.m.	Men’s and Women’s Round of 16	CBS/CBS Sports Network ESPN2/ESPN3
Tuesday, September 3	11 a.m.-7 p.m 11 a.m.-7 p.m 7 p.m.-11 p.m.	Men’s Round of 16/Women’s Quarterfinals	ESPN2/ESPN3 Tennis Channel ESPN/ESPN3
Wednesday, September 4	12 p.m.-11 p.m.	Men’s and Women’s Quarterfinals	ESPN2/ESPN3
Thursday, September 5	12 p.m.-6 p.m 8 p.m.-11 p.m.	Men’s Quarterfinals	ESPN2/ESPN3 ESPN/ESPN3
Friday, September 6	12:30 p.m.-6 p.m.	Women’s semifinals/Mixed doubles final	CBS
Saturday, September 7	12 p.m.-6 p.m.	Men’s semifinals/Women’s doubles final	CBS
Sunday, September 8	12:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m 4:30 p.m.-7 p.m.	Men’s doubles final/Women’s final	ESPN2/ESPN3 CBS
Monday, September9	5 p.m.-8 p.m.	Men’s final	CBS

Information via Sports Illustrated.

Men's Predictions

One of the great disappointments of this tournament is the fact that Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer could meet in the quarterfinals, should both (as expected) advance that far. In other words, Federer isn't going to advance past the quarterfinals. 

Not with the way Nadal has been playing this year. It's generally unwise to bet against the guy who is 53-3 on the year and has won nine titles, including the French Open and his last two tournaments.

Both Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray should cruise through their sections of the draw, with Djokovic's biggest test a potential quarterfinal against Juan Martin Del Potro and Murray perhaps facing some trouble in Tomas Berdych in a potential quarterfinal match.

Expect the two to do battle in the first semifinal. 

So who will Nadal face? David Ferrer appears to be the front-runner there, though Richard Gasquet, Milos Raonic and Janko Tipsarevic could all have a say in that. Let's continue to be boring: Ferrer will win the unenviable task of losing to Nadal in the semifinals. 

So who will Nadal face, Djokovic or Murray? History suggests Djokovic, who is 11-8 all time against Murray and 9-6 on hard courts. Of course, history also reminds us that Murray beat the Djoker at this tournament in the final last year, so basically flip a coin. 

But for the sake of making a pick, Djokovic will advance in a truly epic match. 

That leaves a rather juicy final between Nadal and Djokovic. Nadal holds the lifetime series at 21-15 and has gotten the better of Djokovic over the past two seasons, going 5-2 in the matchup. But Djokovic holds an 11-6 advantage on hard courts. 

Flip another coin?

Nah. This is the year of Nadal, and in another match for the ages, he'll edge out Djokovic in five sets. 

Women's Predictions

Can we just give the title to Serena Williams now? No?

Fine.

Barring any major surprises, however, it's hard to see anyone in her draw preventing a trip to the semifinals. Maybe Sloane Stephens could trip her up in the fourth round. Maybe Angelique Kerber could surprise her in the quarters. 

But it seems unlikely. Remember, Williams has won seven of her last nine tournaments and made eight of the last nine finals. She's on fire, folks. 

Below her, the draw is stacked. Agnieszka Radwanska, Sabine Lisicki, Jelena Jankovic and Li Na could all make it to the semifinals. Look for Li to survive a tough draw.

Sara Errani has a manageable draw, with Caroline Wozniacki or Maria Kirilenko looking like her biggest hurdles. Errani will continue a strong season by reaching the semifinals.

Finally, Victoria Azarenka has responded well to a disappointing Wimbledon, reaching two finals in a row and beating Williams at the Western & Southern Open. But in a bit of a surprise, it will be Sam Stosur who reaches the semifinals.

Williams is bound for the final, while Errani will knock off Li and reprise her semifinal clash from the French Open (and last year's U.S. Open) against Williams. 

And Williams will win, because betting against her just isn't wise.