The Contenders: Roddick, Rafa, Murray Try To Stop Fed's Sixth Straight

Roger Federer: World No. 1, 15 Grand Slam Singles Titles, Career Grand Slam, arguably the best All-Time. 

Tennis' Superman is vying for what would be a record-breaking (wait, there's one he hasn't broken yet?) sixth consecutive US Open title. But there are a few pieces of kryptonite that will attempt to stop history and break up Fed's business-as-usual waltz into history. 

Let's look first at Federer's part of the draw.

The first two rounds should provide minimal to no resistance. It is only until we get to the Third Round, a potential matchup with 2001 US Open champ Lleyton Hewitt, that things might get a bit interesting.

I predict that if Federer is completely on form, he should dispatch Lleyton in straights. If he allows his concentration to waver (something not unheard of in recent months), then it might go four. 

In the Fourth Round, Fed should see either Robredo or Blake. I'd personally like to see him face Blake, just because the match will be more amped up due to Blake's unwarranted celebrity status here in NYC. But the more likely matchup will be against Robredo. Blake, if recent history is any indicator, is like a Ferrari with no engine: nice to admire, but not going anywhere. 

In the Quarters, Fed should be facing either Davydenko or Soderling, his French Open final and Wimbledon Fourth Round nemesis. I hope to see Soderling play Federer and trash talk again (this time about the fact that nobody will beat him 12 times in a row). Sad to say for Soderling, that is exactly the fate I expect, perhaps in four tiebreakers, as Federer should advance to the semis.

From that point on, the tournament will get really interesting. Take my advice and get your Super Saturday tickets now because the two Men's Semifinals have the potential for classic written all over them.

Federer should meet either Djokovic or Roddick in the semis. While Federer holds the advantage in head-to-head encounters with Djokovic, the Serb isn't scared and has beaten Federer on the big stage before (most notably in the 2008 Australian Open semis, in straights I might add). 

Roddick, on the other hand, is perhaps the most potent threat to spoil another Federer coronation. His resurgence, especially evidenced by his epic battle against Federer at Wimbledon on Roger's best surface, grass, certainly bodes well for those who think Roddick can pull off the upset.

In addition, Roddick's monster serve is tailor-made for the US Open hard courts, he'll want revenge for Wimbledon, and he'll have the home crowd behind him; a trifecta that that has a great chance at overthrowing Federer's regime at Flushing Meadows. Oh, and did I mention that he's won the US Open before, in 2003, the last time someone not named Federer held the crown?

Should Federer get to the final, he'll face a potential rematch with Andy Murray, whom he dispatched in straights in last year's final. Or he'll face the only man who has ever made Federer cry tears of sorrow, the only man who could probably call Federer his B-I-T- (well you get the idea): Rafael "Rafa" Nadal. 

The main problem that either man can potentially pose for Federer is that they have relatively easy draws. Murray will get advance to the semis with almost no resistance (2000 champ Marat Safin or Marin Cilic might make some noise and take him to a few tiebreakers, but he has them beat with his all-round game).

Rafa will have a similar fate, facing no one of consequence except Fernando Gonzalez, seeded 11th and his fellow countryman David Ferrer, seeded 18th.

If both can get through their draws with relative ease and efficiency, it should set the stage for a high quality semi and both could be fresher than their Federer/Roddick counterpart in the top half of the draw.

For a younger Murray, that might mean an additional boost of energy if he can force his Finals opponent to five. Likewise for Rafa, with his layoff from the game and additional freshness, coming into the Final could cause problems for either Roddick or Federer.

Oh and let's not forget, until we see otherwise, Rafa still owns Federer psychologically. 

What this spells out to is a magical final weekend at the Open. I think that Fed will get his 16th Grand Slam and sixth straight Open, but he will not sprint effortlessly to his goal. Instead he will stagger breathlessly across the finish line after a hard earned, taxing victory.

Order of Picks to win the Men's Championship:

1) Federer, 2) Roddick, 3) Nadal, 4) Murray