2010 US Open: Five Key Storylines To Watch Thursday

The 2010 US Open is winding down and now big-time tennis players are playing in big-time matches. Today is no exception.

The top player in the world, Rafael Nadal, is in action today. There are plenty of storylines and drama abound today, and here are five to look for while you're watching the matches.

No. 5: Gearing Up for Federer/Djokovic

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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 08: Roger Federer of Switzerland reacts after defeating against Robin Soderling of Sweden during his men's singles quarterfinal match on day ten of the 2010 U.S. Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 8

The biggest match of the 2010 US Open so far will take place tomorrow between Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.

The two are seeded second and third, and the winner will go to the finals. You know it's going to be a topic of discussion all day long. Enjoy the tennis today, but know that there's a big match looming on the horizon.

For the record I'm taking Federer in four sets for the win.

No. 4: Can Youzhny Reach the Semis?

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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 07: Mikhail Youzhny of Russia returns a shot against Tommy Robredo of Spain during his men's singles fourth round match on day nine of the 2010 U.S. Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 7, 2010 in the

Mikhail Youzhny hasn't reached the semifinals of a Grand Slam event since the 2006 US Open. It was his only semifinal appearance in his career.

Now Youzhny is one win away from the semis and this is his second quarterfinal appearance in a Grand Slam this year. Could the Russian be turning a corner with his game?

We'll find out today if Youzhny has enough to get to the semis today.

No. 3: Does The Slipper Still Fit?

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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 07: Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland celebrates after defeating Sam Querrey of the United States during his men's singles fourth round match on day nine of the 2010 U.S. Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on Se

Youzhny's opponent today is Stanislas Wawrinka, No. 25 in the tournament.

Wawrinka is coming off an upset of No. 20 Sam Querry in five sets. This is the furthest that Wawrinka has ever advanced in a Grand Slam event, and with another win he'll possibly be facing Rafael Nadal.

It's been a great story for the Swiss player and hopefully that continues with a victory today. Either way Wawrinka is a winner already.

No. 2 Can Verdasco Keep It Up?

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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 07: Fernando Verdasco of Spain celebrates after he won his men's singles match agianst David Ferrer of Spain on day nine of the 2010 U.S. Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 7, 2010 in the Flushing n

Another player coming off a thrilling five set victory is Fernando Verdasco, who downed David Ferrer in an exhausting match.

His reward is a matchup against fellow countryman Rafael Nadal. Verdasco has to be somewhat fatigued after such a grueling match, and I'm not so sure he can stand up to Nadal's attack.

Nadal is going to run him all over the court, and it'll be interesting to see if he can stand up to the challenge and move on to the semis.

No. 1: Is This Nadal's Year?

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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 07: Rafael Nadal of Spain hits a return against Feliciano Lopez of Spain during his men's singles match on day nine of the 2010 U.S. Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 7, 2010 in the Flushing neighb

Rafael Nadal is one US Open crown away from a career Grand Slam, and this might be the year where it finally happens for the Spaniard.

Nadal has not dropped a set in this year's tournament, and will not have to go through Djokovic to get to the finals. This seems like it may be Nadal's best chance yet, and he has to go through Fernando Verdasco to get there.

I like Nadal's chances today, but we'll see if he can win it all this year.