US Open: The Final Four Breakdown

Although there are no Americans in the field, this US Open has a great Final Four heading into Saturday.

Andy Murray, the best player in Britain, has played with great confidence in the US Open. Rafa Nadal is in the middle of one of the greatest summer runs in the history of tennis.

Roger Federer isn't as dominant in this tournament, but we know what he is capable of. Novak put a disappointing Andy Roddick away and he's playing on his best surface.

Djokovic vs. Federer

This match is a story of two players that are going in opposite directions. Federer has seemed mentally broken since he lost Wimbledon. He isn't hitting the shots he used to and he doesn't seem as composed.

Djokovic has been playing well on hard courts all year. He didn't do as well on grass and clay, but those aren't his surfaces. He looked sharp in his match against Roddick.

Why I think Djokovic will win is because he has become so much better than he was last year at the US Open final. He had plenty of chances to beat Federer in 2007. The problem was that he couldn't put him away on those set points.

In the Australian, he did put those points away and was able to beat Federer.  Where once he could have outclassed Djokovic with his serve, Federer doesn't seem to be himself.  His placement of the serve used to be amazing, however, in this Grand Slam he isn't placing the serve deep into those corners or on the line as well as he used to.

Djovokic in four sets, but will have to win seven games at least once.

Nadal vs. Murray

Murray has really come into his own in this Grand Slam. Though the British would have liked to see him do this at Wimbledon, they have hope that Murray could return the British to prominence in tennis.

His first serve is greatly improved, and his forehand is a huge weapon. The backhand is solid, not a powerful Gasquet-like weapon, but good enough to be used aggressively and his return of serve is impressive.

The greatest characteristic of Murray is his mental game. He is one of the smartest tennis players in the world. His change of pace, variety of shots, and his serve strategy are what separate him from the rest of the pack.

Nadal has looked dominant throughout this tournament. As he has all summer, Nadal has simply overwhelmed his opposition. He is the most physically built tennis player I have ever seen.  He is completely ripped and probably the strongest tennis player in the world.  His forehand and backhand are absolutely world class and he can hit a passing shot from anywhere on the court.

His speed and footwork make it difficult to try to swing the momentum of a point in your favor. His serve is greatly improved and is a potent weapon.

All in all, I see Nadal as too much of a player for Murray to handle. However, Murray will not go down without a fight.  Nadal in five sets, but having to win seven games at least twice.