US Open Tennis 2011: Djokovic, Nadal, Serena Williams: Who Takes the Title?

The time has come. Who will be making the biggest splash at the 2011 US Open?

Tennis fans are glued to the television and the web to see how the tennis greats and a few sleepers finish out the year.

Will Andy Murray finally reach the winner's circle of a Grand Slam?

Could Li Na win their second Slam of the year after her surprise win at the French Open?

Has Mardy Fish finally settled into his new role as America's greatest hope at a Grand Slam?

Will Serena Williams's fortitude continue and will she earn her fourth US Open and 14th Grand Slam title?

The questions could go on and on. But rather than continuing to ask questions, let's begin  handicapping the big names' odds in the big tournament.

Caroline Wozniacki

Outright winning odds: 14/1

2011 YTD win-loss record: 49-12

US Open record: played in four; finalist in 2009

2011 US Open seeding: No. 1

Current ranking: No. 1 

Caroline Wozniacki has had an interesting year to say the least. She has won some titles, most recently the New Haven Open, but at the same time, we saw her lose at some unexpected times.  She lost in the third round of the French Open to Daniela Hantuchová and in the fourth round at Wimbledon to Dominika Cibulkova.

Wozniacki seems to have concerns when she gets to the big stage.

Will she be able to secure a win at the final Grand Slam of year?

To do so, she must bring her A-game and play well offensively as well as defensively.

Vera Zvonereva

Outright winning odds: 12/1

2011 YTD win-loss record: 45-15

US Open record: played in eight; best performance was the final in 2010

2011 US Open seeding: No. 2 

Current ranking: No. 2

Vera Zvonareva's best performance in a Slam this year has been the semifinals of the Australian Open where she fell to Kim Clijsters—the eventual winner.

Outside of the Slams, she has done well, reaching the quarterfinals, semifinals and three finals.

There may not be as much talk about Zvonareva as some of the other big names but don't count her out.

She's the type of player that goes after every point as if it is the last one. If she is given an opening, she will take advantage of it.

Maria Sharapova

Outright winning odds: 9/2

2011 YTD win-loss record: 40-10

US Open record: played in eight opens; won one (2006)

2011 US Open Seeding: No. 13

Current ranking: No. 3

Sharapova goes into the US Open following an up-and-down year. She had two wins (The Italian Open and the Western and Southern). She also had two devastating losses—the semifinals loss to Li Na at the French Open and in the Wimbledon final to Petra Kvitova.

In the first round of this year's US Open, most, including me, thought Sharapova would win easily in two sets. But her opponent, a young unseeded Brit, Heather Watson, disrupted those projections.

It took Sharapova over two-and-a-half hours and three sets to overcome Watson.

This match displayed a few nagging concerns if Sharapova is to be tops in this tournament. First, she has to work on taking control of the match early on. She can do this by working on her service game and capitalizing on any and all free points by her opponent.

As the match with Watson showed, Sharapova is easily frustrated when she has to play long and hard.

And most importantly, Sharapova has to work on reducing her unforced errors. With Sharapova giving away points, she could easily be eliminated.

Anyone remember Wimbledon 2011?

Victoria Azarenka

Outright winning odds: 9/1

2011 YTD win-loss record: 41-13

US Open record: played in five; best performance was fourth round 2007

2011 US Open seeding: No. 4

Current ranking: No. 5

Victoria Azarenka is one of the players to watch at this US Open.

In 2011 performances, she has reached the quarterfinals, semifinals or finals in the majority of tournaments that she's played in.  These results can come only after defeating some of the top players in the world.

Case in point: Azarenka won the 2011 Sony Ericcson tournament. In achieving this victory, she beat Kim Clijsters, Vera Zvonareva and Maria Sharapova.

Azarenka can step up her game when needed. That's a huge weapon in a tournament as big as the US Open.

Li Na

Outright winning odds: 16/1

2011 YTD win-loss record: 29-12

US Open record: played in six; best performance was quarterfinals in 2009

2011 US Open Seeding: No. 6

Current ranking: No. 7

Li Na goes into the US Open having reached the Australian Open final, where she lost to Kim Clijsters, and having captured the 2011 French Open title, unseating the defending champion Francesca Schiavone.

However, her performances outside of these two events have been mediocre.

Though she displays power at times, it seems as though her mental game is keeping her from being able to fully execute the type of game that got her to two Slam finals earlier in the year.

If she can find a balance and mesh her mental and physical game, Li Na will be a threat.

Samantha Stosur

Outright winning odds: 33/1

2011 YTD win-loss record: 31-18

US Open record: played in eight; best performance was the quarterfinals in 2010

2011 US Open seeding: No. 9

Current ranking: No. 10

Samantha Stosur has done fairly well during 2011. Her most recent accomplishments were reaching the final of the Rogers Cup (losing to Serena Williams) and the quarterfinals in Cincinnati (losing to the eventual winner, Maria Sharapova).

Two key factors Stosur has in her favor for the US Open: her love for the hard court and her serve. Her serve may be the best in women's tennis.

Last year, she reached the US Open quarterfinals. 2011 could see the same result, or possibly the semifinals, if conditions go her way.

Andrea Petkovic

Outright winning odds: 33-1

2011 YTD win-loss record: 45-15

US Open record: played in three: best performance was fourth round in 2010

2011 US Open seeding: No. 10

Current ranking: No. 11

Andrea Petkovic made it to the quarterfinals of the Australian Open and the French Open this year.

Outside of the big Grand Slam stage, she has hovered around the quarterfinals and semifinals in other events.

Based on the players in her draw, she could be a very viable threat. But her depth into this tournament is going to be limited.

Jelena Jankovic

Outright winning odds: 33/1

2011 YTD win-loss record: 32-16

US Open record: played in seven: best performance was the final in 2008

2011 US Open seeding: No. 11

Current ranking: No. 12

Jelena Jankovic goes into the US Open with her head high after reaching the final of the Western and Southern Classic.

Though she did not win, she not only pushed Sharapova to a three-setter, she forced a tiebreaker in the second set.

Jankovic is a former No. 1 player who is one of only a handful of women who have been able to beat both Serena and Venus Williams in the same tournament.

So, make your determination as to the level of threat she could be at the US Open.

A tournament win is not probable for Jankovic. Impeding other big-name players' journeys deep into the tournament? Highly probable.

Serena Williams

Outright winning odds: 11/8

2011 YTD win-loss record:16-2

US Open record: played in 12 opens, winning three Grand Slam singles titles

2011 US Open Seeding: No. 28

Current ranking: No. 29

Serena goes into the Australian Open following a remarkable comeback summer.

She won both the Rogers Cup and the Bank of the West Classic, beating the likes of Marion Bartoli, (defeated Serena at Wimbledon 2011), Samantha Stosur, Victoria Azarenka and Maria Sharapova. 

Serena's ranking rose from 175 to her current ranking of No. 29.

The only hiccup was her having to bow out of the Western and Southern due to a sore toe. But, that allowed Serena to rest and prepare both physically and mentally for keeping her game at a level consistent with her performances in the tournaments leading up to the Open.

This is a Serena who has displayed her physical fitness along with her renewed passion for the game. She also has strengthened her mental game. For those who have watched her return to the court, there is a focus in her eyes that's much more intense than it was when she played prior to her injury/illness absence.

She has nothing to lose and every thing to gain as this would be her fourth US Open and 14th Grand Slam singles title.

Highly-favored to do extremely well.

Venus Williams

Outright winning odds: 22/1

2011 YTD win-loss record: 7-3

US Open record: played in 12; won two (2000-2001)

2011 US Open Seeding: unseeded

Current ranking: No. 36

Venus goes into the US Open having only played three tournaments due to injury and illness. However, in those tournaments, she is 2-1 on the hard court.

Venus can not be counted out despite a downswing in her career. She has weapons. Her height gives her an advantage when covering the court, and she has a powerful serve.

It's hard to make projections when it comes to Venus. However, if she can get through the first few rounds, she can make the final.

In her first round at the Open thus far, she faced little challenge from Vesna Dolonts (No. 91), winning in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3.

Remember: not only did Venus win this tournament twice, she did it in consecutive years.

Novak Djokovic

Outright winning odds: 5/4

2011 YTD win-loss record: 57-2

US Open record: played in six; best performance was the final in 2007 and 2010

2011 US Open seeding: No. 1 

Current ranking: No. 1

Not a lot to be said about Novak Djokovic. He has enjoyed a tremendous year that has already secured him a place in the record books as being one the best young players ever.

His only weaknesses going into this tournament is his shoulder (in a recent interview, Djokovic said his shoulder is fine) and his temper.

It is important too for Djokovic to monitor his temper because if he doesn't, no matter how well he is playing physically, tantrums will impact his game.

Rafael Nadal

Outright winning odds: 7/2

2011 YTD win-loss record: 53-10

US Open record: played in eight; won in 2010

2011 US Open seeding: No. 2 

Current ranking: No. 2 

He's the defending champion, but for the first time in a very long time, he's going into the final with a little less momentum.

2011 has seen him succumb to the Djokovic winning run, resulting in only one Grand Slam title, the French Open.

Additionally, immediately prior to the US Open, he suffered what he probably felt was a surprising lost to American Mardy Fish in the quarterfinals in Cincinnati.

But, this is a discussion of Rafael Nadal. One of those players who can never be counted out until the final point of the final game.

His body is his weapon. He is undoubtedly one of the best all-around players in tennis history.

If he gets into his rhythm, executing a precise tennis game, he can and will win another title. The only viable threats to him are Djokovic, Federer and Fish.

Roger Federer

Outright winning odds: 11/2

2011 YTD win-loss record: 42-11

US Open record:played in 11; won five (2004-08)

2011 US Open seeding: No. 3 

Current ranking: No. 3

Like Djokovic and Nadal, there's not a lot to say about Roger Federer.  His game and record pretty much speak for him.

Like Nadal, he also left a little early from the Cincinnati tournament. But for a player of Federer's caliber, it really carries little weight, as he has the ability to bounce back at any time.

Remember, Federer put the breaks on the Djokovic winning streak. That big one in the lost column for Djokovic has Federer's name written all over it.

He has an all-around game that ranks among the best ever, similar to Nadal.

Federer is a serious threat and could win it all.

Andy Murray

Outright winning odds: 5/1

2011 YTD win-loss record: 34-10

US Open record: played in six; best performance was the final in 2008

2011 US Open seeding: No. 4

Current ranking: No. 4

Andy Murray is coming into this tournament following a win over Novak Djokovic (Djokovic retired due to injury). It is important to note though, when Djokovic retired, Murray was up a set and ahead in the second set.

It cannot be said enough that Andy Murray plays well. However, he just cannot get his game together to secure a Grand Slam title.

Honestly, looking at the field, how he's been playing and his love of this tournament, this may just be the tournament that he could go really deep. And there's this very small probability that he just might pull out a tournament win.

David Ferrer

Outright winning odds: 150/1

2011 YTD win-loss record: 40-12

US Open record: played in eight; best performance was the semifinals in 2007

2011 US Open seeding: No. 5

Current ranking: No. 5

Immediately, one might go ahead and count David Ferrer out based on the odds, but here's a word to the wise: don't.

Upon review of his 2011 tennis record, the majority of his performances were quarterfinals, semifinals and finals.

In the Australian Open final, he pushed Andy Murray to a four setter with two tiebreakers for good measure.

Though his skill set leaves a little to be desired in respect to his fellow players, Ferrer has a tenacity and ability to maximize his arsenal and capitalize on his opponents' shortcomings.

Robin Soderling

Outright winning odds: 40/1

2011 YTD win-loss record: 38-9

US Open record: played in eight; best performance was the quarterfinals in 2009-10

2011 US Open seeding: No. 6 

Current ranking: No. 6 

Robin Soderling is another player that cannot be underestimated. For two years straight, he has reached the quarterfinals. He is eyeing the finish line and is going to show that in how he's playing.

He's gone deep in tournaments in 2011, including the quarterfinals of the French Open, pushing Rafael Nadal to a three-setter and a tiebreaker.

Is a threat? Yes, he is.

He has a proven track record of going toe-to-toe with the best.

Gael Monfils

Outright winning odds: 100/1

2011 YTD win-loss record: 29-12

US Open record: played in five; best performance was the quarterfinals in 2010

2011 US Open seeding: No. 7

Current ranking: No. 7

Gael Monfils is one of the most athletic sports figures of all time, not just in tennis.

His uncanny speed, agility and ability to cover the court could easily rival that of Rafael Nadal.

Monfils has had a good year. For the most part, he has at least reached the quarterfinals (including the French Open) at most of the tournaments he's played in, with a couple of  semifinals and a final mixed in.

If Monfils performed at the height of his ability, takes control early on and closes out his sets/matches (he allows things to linger thus exhausting himself unnecessarily) and left showboating on the sidelines, he could win the US Open.

Mardy Fish

Outright winning odds: 20/1

2011 YTD win-loss record: 36-17

US Open record: played in 10; best performance was the quarterfinals in 2008

2011 US Open seeding: No. 8 

Current ranking: No. 8

Mardy Fish is definitely the No. 1 player to watch in this tournament.

Fish has dug in and worked hard to develop his game, making him quite competitive.  His hard work paid off with a No. 1 American ranking and a career high of No. 8 in the world.

He then had to work on his mental game.

Andy Roddick was the undisputed American champion; Fish had to believe that he was next in line.

But, after securing the US Open Series win and a win over Rafael Nadal, he received a confidence boost—a boost that he needed to take his game to the next level.

He is hungry for this win, maybe even hungrier than Andy Murray. 

Mardy Fish came to Flushing Meadows with a goal—win.

Andy Roddick

Outright winning odds: 66/1

2011 YTD win-loss record: 21-10

US Open record: played in 11; won in 2003

2011 US Open seeding: No. 21

Current ranking: No. 21

Andy Roddick has had a disappointing year. At this late stage in the game, although he has the weapons to win, Roddick is not going to go far in this tournment.

A tournament win will be a miracle—a nice miracle—but not probable.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga

Outright winning odds: 25/1

2011 YTD win-loss record: 33-16

US Open record: played in three; best performance was the fourth round in 2009

2011 US Open seeding: No. 11 

Current ranking: No. 11

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga is a gifted tennis player. Unfortunately, in many cases, when it really counts, he cannot pull out the win.

He did receive a confidence boost this year, defeating Roger Federer twice and Rafael Nadal once.

His playing should at least get him to the third round with a low probability of repeating his 2009 US Open performance and reach the fourth round.

Conclusion

There you have it—an indepth look at the top men and women going into the 2011 US Open.

What's your opinion?

My final predications are: Serena Williams wins it all for the women, and on the men's side, I have a three-way tie as to who could possibly win it all: Mardy Fish, Novak Djokovic or Rafael Nadal.

Whatever the case, do share your insight and opinions. Please leave your thoughts below.