US Open Tennis 2011: Strong American Run Nearing Its End

The American men haven't won a Grand Slam title since Andy Roddick won the US Open in 2003.

The 2011 US Open has been a resurgent year for them. Four men, Andy Roddick, John Isner, Donald Young and Mardy Fish made the round of 16. Roddick and Isner each won their match in the round of 16 and are now in the quarterfinals.

Indeed, the American drought in Grand Slams looks to be on its last legs.

Despite that, its end will have to come in 2012 or beyond.

If Roddick and Isner each win their match, it would guarantee that an American will be in the final, as a semifinal match would pit the two against each other.

But that's easier said that done.

Roddick is pitted against No. 2 Rafael Nadal. Earlier in the tournament, this looked to be a match that Roddick could win, as Nadal was not playing good, confident tennis.

Since the second round, Nadal has found his form and looks to be well on his way to the semifinals.

Isner is locked up in a quarterfinal match against Andy Murray. Like Roddick, he's got a big serve. But Isner is now as far as he's ever been in a Grand Slam.

Of the two, he's the one that's more likely to advance. Murray has played well at the US Open, but has looked vulnerable in a few matches. His history would suggest that he will beat Isner and then lose to Nadal in a semifinal, but history does not mean everything.

Isner and Roddick can both win their matches, but it will take an awful lot. That's especially true for Roddick, as Nadal is the defending champion whose confidence has to be growing by the minute.

But if Isner does get through Murray, he’ll will then face the same test that Roddick is facing in the quarterfinals.

Frankly, this just does not look like it will be the year where the American drought comes to an end. The top players in the world are all playing well right now. Isner or Roddick would have to run through at least two of them to win the championship.

If you count Murray as part of that top group, Isner or Roddick would likely need to get through three of them.

Frankly, those odds just are not very good right now.

It’s been a positive US Open for the host men, but it won’t end in a championship.