US Tennis Open Preview

The veil in 2009 US Open Tennis Championship will be lifted early today when world's number one, and first seed, Rodger Federer (SUZ) take on little-known Devin Britton (USA) at 11:00AM on Arthur Ashe Stadium. The match will follow by unseeded and 2005 champion, Kim Clijster (BEL) versus Viktoriya Kutuzova (UKR).

The two-week event, and tennis' last Grand Slam tournament of the year, will crown its champions on Sunday, September 13th. But between now and then, there are certain to be many surprising, specially in a surface (deco turf) that is conducive upsets. Both defending champions (Federer and Serena Williams) have hard paths to repeat, but both are expected to do so.

With this in mind, here is a look at the contenders and pretenders for the coveted title.

Men
Favorites:

Federer (#1). Simply put it, he is the best tennis player in a generation. He already has won five straight titles. With Nadal coming off a serious injury, is fair to say that the 2009 crown will be his for the taking.
Rafael Nadal (#3 ESP). For a brief period last year, it looked like the 23 year old Spaniard had overtaken Federer at the top of the tennis world, but an inconsistent 2009, coupled by a bit of the injury bug, has halted that rise. Still, the 2008 semi finalist, is probably the best bet to unseat the Swiss.
Andy Murray (#2 BRT). Big and strong, the Scottish is ready for prime time. He made the finals last year, and now wants more. On pure talent, he is superior to both Federer and Nadal. If he ever mature on the court, he will be a multiple Grand Slam winner.

Pretenders

Novack Djokovic (#4 SEB). In the same boat as Murray. Big and physical gifted, but lacking mental thoughtness. Would cause problems and could win it, but is hard to see him defeating both Nadal and Federer in the same week.
Andy Roddick (#5 USA). The sole American hope is as inconsistent as he is talented. The best serve in the game will always give him a chance (see this year Wimbledon) but is he strong enough to win his first Slam since 2003? At 27, the window is closing fast on him. Could be a sleeper, specially with the crow behind him.

Dark Horse

Juan Martin Del Potro (#6 ARG). The young Argentinian has shown he can play with the best of them. Its time to show he can defeat them too. Another possible sleeper.
James Blake (#21 USA). The 30 year old will not win it, in fact, he has never made it to an Open semifinal, but in what looks to be his swan song, look for him to make noise in the first week.

Women

Favorites

Williams (#2 USA). The three time winner (1999, 2002 &08) is more than ready to defend her title. She is coming on the heels of a Wimbledon championship were the youngster of the William clan demolish the field. The clear favorite with no glaring weakness.
Venus Williams (#3 USA). Big Sis is running out of time and opportunities. At 29, this could be her last real shoot at winning the Open again (2000, 01). She looks fit and hungrier than in the past. Could this be enough to overtake Serena in a possible semifinal? Not likely.
Svetlana Kuznetsova (#6 RUS). The 2004 winner is coming off the biggest year of his career. Won easily the French Open and now is planning to challenge the Williams for Open dominance. It will be tough, but if she survives the first week, anything could happen.

Pretenders

Dinana Safina (#1 RUS). A number one seed as a pretender? Yes, Safina is the world top women player and she has played accordingly, reaching the Australian and French Opens finals in 2009, but she hasn't won a Grand Slam yet and expecting her to do it in New York and against a loaded field, could be too much.

Dark Horse

Clijster (unseeded). The 2005 winner is returning to Flushing Meadows for the first time since returning from a sudden retirement. She may not have the legs to win it, but the Belgian star has the moxie to cause heavy damage.
Caroline Wozniacki (#9 DEN). A little known player that could cause trouble for some seeds. Her game, a clay court-type, is conducive to long rallies, which can force unforced errors. She almost defeated Serena at the Medbank International early in the year and has play progressively better as the season moved on. A potential sleeper.