US Open Tennis 2015: Early Predictions for Men's and Women's Singles Brackets
Serena Williams looks unstoppable ahead of the 2015 U.S. Open women's singles bracket. But things aren't so easy to predict in the men's event.
There's a trio of notable contenders, including Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer. The latter has a great record at this tournament, having won it on five previous occasions.
Here are a few early predictions for the potential winners in both brackets:
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Williams Will Survive Tough Tests
Williams remains the top player in women's tennis with little competition for that distinction. But that doesn't mean it will be a simple procession in New York City for the 33-year-old.
If there's one thing that will concern Williams, it's a potentially tough draw. During an interview with USA Today's For The Win writer Chris Chase, ESPN's Brad Gilbert described her draw as "brutal."
But Gilbert has no doubt that the player, who begins her tournament against Russian Vitalia Diatchenko, is still the clear favorite in the women's bracket:
"It’s still Serena vs. the field, just like at Wimbledon. If she’s in it, they’re all playing for second. If somehow she were to slip up then there’s 15 others that can win this tournament. But of the three most important components in tennis, she’s No. 1 in all three.
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Expanding on that, Gilbert credited Williams with excellent movement and a terrific return of serve. In terms of her own service game, Gilbert noted how Williams wasn't at her best in Cincinnati but expects that to change once the Open begins.
As much as any technical aspects on court will help her chances, Williams can also be aided by a certain aura. It's an aura built around how difficult she is to beat at a Grand Slam event.
CNN's Ravi Ubha detailed how Williams boasts a "winning percentage of 88% at grand slams." But Ubha also took a closer look at the record to indicate there's still cause for optimism for the rest of the women's bracket: "Williams has, in fact, walked away from a major 39 times without hoisting the trophy but those defeats have been spread over 17 years and it hasn't happened since Wimbledon in 2014, when Alize Cornet sent her packing."
Still, it's tough to believe any of the other main contenders can get past Williams in New York. There are plenty of talented players in this bracket, including Simona Halep and Ana Ivanovic.
But this will still be Williams' tournament. Her win means she'll complete a Grand Slam for the calendar year.
Federer Can Turn Back the Clock
He's 34, and we're often told how he isn't what he was, but Federer will still be the man to beat in New York. As Douglas Robson of the U.S. Open's official website notes, the Swiss master has an exceptional record at Flushing Meadows: "His winning percentage of 87.8% (72-10) is only a tad below his 88.7% winning clip in London (79-10)."
Robson also described how Federer has become something of a nearly man in the supposed winter of his career. But the player who reached the last four in 2014 will go one better this time. Actually, make that two better.
Federer has expressed how he's over a troubling back problem that hampered him two years ago, per Robson. With a full range of movement from his body, the Federer mind will be enough to negotiate the early stages of the draw and put him in position to win it all.
More importantly, Federer is fresh removed from beating top seed Djokovic in the final of the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati. As Craig O'Shannessy of ATPWorldTour.com noted, Federer out-thought Djokovic with a surprisingly aggressive approach.
It was most obvious in how he returned serve against the gifted Serbian:
"Federer approached directly off a second serve 11 times for the match, winning seven, with some coming as ultra-aggressive half-volleys that required a global double-take. Just when you thought you had seen it all, Federer irreverently wrote a new chapter of what’s possible when returning serve.
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As a master tactician, Federer is sure to have something in store for the hard courts at the National Tennis Centre. Getting the better of a perennial tormentor is a tremendous fillip for the confidence of a player who has come up just short so often in recent years.
Djokovic not only lost to Federer in Cincinnati, but he was also beaten by Andy Murray in Montreal. It's not ideal preparation for the Serb, even though he and Murray are both strong contenders at Flushing Meadows.
But Federer will find something extra as part of an Indian summer for his magnificent career.
Nobody will be surprised by Williams' dominance in New York. But Federer holding off Father Time, along with competitors as tough as Murray and Djokovic, to top the men's bracket will raise an eyebrow or two.
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