US Open 2011: 20 Players to Watch in Round 1

The US Open is set to begin next week, and it will be the last Grand Slam tournament of the 2011 season.

Novak Djokovic will be one to watch in New York, and he will be looking for his third Grand Slam title of the season. He beat Andy Murray in the final of the Australian Open back in January and won Wimbledon against Rafael Nadal in July.

There are several other players who will be interesting to watch at Flushing Meadows.

Andy Murray is still trying to win his first-ever Grand Slam title, and Roger Federer is trying to extend his record 16 Grand Slam titles, although he hasn't won since the 2010 Australian Open.

Let's look at the 20 players you must watch at the 2011 US Open.

Nicholas Goss is a Featured Columnist at Bleacher Report, follow him on Twitter.

Andy Murray

Andy Murray has reached the semifinals of every Grand Slam tournament this season but has yet to win one. He also has never won a Grand Slam in his career.

The talented man from Great Britain will once again be a favorite in New York.

Murray won his final tuneup for the US Open at the Cincinnati Masters this month and will look to carry the momentum to Flushing Meadows.

In a recent BBC article, Murray explained his love for the US Open:

"It's my favourite tournament. I want to bring my 'A' game and I will make a few small changes." 

Ryan Harrison

Ryan Harrison isn't expected to go far in the US Open or even past the first two rounds, but the 19-year-old is one of the up-and-coming American players to watch.

Some are calling him one of the future stars of American tennis and the man that could end the country's eight-year drought in Grand Slam tennis tournaments.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga

The Frenchman did not participate in the 2010 US Open, but he has had a solid season this year, highlighted by a semifinal appearance at Wimbledon.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga is quite inconsistent, but when he's on top of his game, he is very tough to beat. His quarterfinal upset of Roger Federer at this year's Wimbledon is one example of this.

Mardy Fish

Mardy Fish is the best American player in the US Open field and the highest-ranked player from the U.S.

Fish has had a solid season in 2011 and has reached the finals twice this year.

If he plays to his best, Fish could make a run to the quarters or semis.

Andy Roddick

Andy Roddick's last grand slam title was at the 2003 US Open, and he's had numerous opportunities for more titles but has continually come up short.

At 28 years old, Roddick's career is likely coming to an end, and while he isn't a serious contender at this year's US Open, the crowd will give him all the energy he'll need.

This is probably Roddick's last shot at a Grand Slam title.

Ernests Gulbis

The 22-year-old Latvian star is a strong bet to face defending US Open champion Rafael Nadal in the fourth round and will be a tough out throughout the tournament.

Gulbis reached the fourth round of the 2007 US Open and the quarterfinals at the 2008 French Open.

He also has solid experience playing top players and upset Roger Federer at the 2010 Italian Open.

Tomas Berdych

Tomas Berdych has an all-court game good enough to be very successful at the US Open and is a dark-horse candidate to get to the quarterfinals or semifinals of the tournament.

He beat Roger Federer in straight sets recently at the Cincinnati Masters.

Roger Federer

Roger Federer is arguably the greatest tennis player ever, and his 16 Grand Slam titles are the most ever.

Federer has had historic success at the US Open, winning five straight times in New York from 2004 through 2008. He also reached the final in 2009 and the semifinals in 2010.

Currently ranked No. 3 in the world, Federer has played well this season and has the best chance to stop No. 1-ranked Novak Djokovic from winning his third Grand Slam title of 2011.

Ivan Dodig

Ivan Dodig will try to carry the momentum from his big upset win over Rafael Nadal at Montreal into the US Open.

He also took the only set from Djokovic at this year's Australian Open.

Ivan Dodig will be a tough out and could face Roger Federer in the third round of this year's US Open.

Juan Martin Del Potro

Juan Martin Del Potro won the 2009 US Open but did not play at all last year and is looking to get his career back on the winning track in New York this year.

He has gotten himself back into the top 20 in the world rankings and could be a surprise player at the US Open.

Robin Soderling

Robin Soderling is one of the most underrated players in men's tennis and has reached the last two finals of the French Open, defeating the defending champion each time on his way.

Soderling will be a challenge at the US Open and is one of the few people to have beaten Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer in the past three seasons.

John Isner

John Isner is one of the best American players in the world, but like fellow Americans Andy Roddick and Mardy Fish, Isner has underachieved for most of his career.

The 6'9" Isner has a great serve, will definitely be a tough out in New York, and is currently ranked No. 28 in the world.

He reached the fourth round of the US Open in 2009.

Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal is the defending US Open champion, but his 2011 season has been inconsistent.

After suffering upset losses in Montreal and Cincinnati this season, Nadal will look to end his season on a high note in New York.

Nadal has proven that he can be successful on any surface of play, and he will once again be a top contender at this year's US Open.

Bernard Tomic

One of the best prospects in the game of tennis, Bernard Tomic will be a young star looking for a breakthrough at this year's US Open.

Tomic faces a possible quarterfinal matchup with young American prospect Ryan Harrison and has enough talent to make a deep run.

Novak DJokovic

Novak Djokovic is having the best season of his career and is looking to win his third Grand Slam title of 2011, after winning the Australian Open and Wimbledon earlier in the year.

Currently ranked No. 1 in the world, Djokovic is the man to beat in New York.

He recently pulled out of the Cincinnati Masters with a shoulder injury, but if he's healthy, there's little chance he won't make the semifinals.

David Ferrer

David Ferrer is the second-best Spanish player on tour and reached the semifinals of the 2007 US Open and this year's Australian Open.

Ferrer beat fellow Spaniard Rafael Nadal en route to his semifinal appearance at the Australian Open this season and is a strong contender to go far in New York this year.

Santiago Giraldo

Columbian Santiago Giraldo is a strong, aggressive player and will pose a real challenge for Roger Federer in this year's US Open.

Giraldo's style of play causes him to be sloppy and create unforced errors, but he can be overpowering to some players.

James Blake

James Blake was supposed to be one of the next great American men's tennis players, but he has underachieved throughout his career.

His resurgent run to the 2011 US Open will be an interesting story to watch, and the American crowd will give him all the energy he needs to make a deep run.

Marin Cilic

Marin Cilic is a very good young player and has already had Grand Slam success in his career, reaching the semifinals of the 2010 Australian Open.

If Cilic advances to the third round, he will likely play Roger Federer.

Gael Monfils

Frenchman Gael Monfils will once again be a tough out in a Grand Slam tournament but is not a serious contender for this year's US Open.

He will likely play Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinals, and he played Djokovic very tough in Cincinnati earlier this month.