Early predictions for the US Open

Even though the US Open is nearly a month away, I've decided to post my early predictions for the last major of the year. I say early, because they may still change, it's impossible to know what will happen with Nadal, how he'll feel and whether he will even play in the US Open. So for this prediction I won't be including him.

Here are some of the serious contenders for the 2009 US Open title:

1. Roger Federer: This guy has won the US Open 5 times in a row. He's obviously a huge favorite. But this year things could be different, he just recently became a father and shortly before that, he broke Sampras's record of 14 grand slams. Roger's biggest obstacle this year may be his focus rather than his competition. If I'm wrong and he comes to the Open with more determination then ever to win, I really don't see anyone who could stop him, except for maybe Andy Murray. Prediction: Roger wins his sixth US Open.

2. Andy Murray: Last years finalist, is still the guy most likely to upset Roger. He wasn't ready before but he might be now. It will take everything Andy's got to beat Roger but he is capable of doing it. He's won the last four matches against Roger and they have all been on hard courts, but he's never beaten Federer on a big occasion at a major. Andy is going to have to do that, before he can be considered a legitimate rival to Roger. Prediction: Murray finishes runner-up but there is a chance for him to win.

3. Andy Roddick: Even though Andy Roddick, has been out recently with a shoulder injury, he's still a favorite to win the US Open. In July he beat Andy Murray to make the finals at Wimbledon and I really felt that he should have taken the final from Roger. He was unlucky to lose that match. If Roddick plays at the US like he played in the Wimbledon final, he will win the US Open. Otherwise look for him to make the second week. Prediction: Semi-finals if he plays normally, champion if he plays his best.

4. Novak Djokovic: It seems like Novak has been on a steady decline since winning the Masters Cup last year. He's number 4 on my list only because he's the #4 player in the world, I don't think his chance of winning is very good. He desperately needs a resurgence and winning this title would give it to him, but I wouldn't be surprised to see him retire during a match later in the tournament. Prediction: Quarterfinals or earlier.

5. Juan Martin Del Potro: He's a promising up and comer. He took Federer, to five sets at the French and probably came within a few points of winning Roland Garros (assuming he had beaten Soderling in the finals). Maybe in another year or two he will be ready to win his first major. At some point I think it's going to happen for him. Prediction: Maybe this is a little extreme, but I'm going to say Quarter-finals.

Other people to look out for:

Tommy Haas: He's having a career resurgence right now. Some people think he's playing the best tennis of his career. He's not the person that comes to mind when you think champion but he could cause a few upsets. Prediction: I'll go out on a limb and say Semi-finals.

Jo Wilfried Tsonga: He has a big, serve and power ground strokes, he's also a former Australian Open finalist. This guy could make a deep run in the tournament. Prediction: Fourth round.

Robin Soderling: Much like the player above, Soderling has all the right tools to cause an upset. Big serve and powerful ground strokes, can he duplicate his success at Roland Garros? Prediction: Fourth round.

Fernando Verdasco: He plays well on the hard courts and he took Roddick to five sets 3 years ago. He made the semi-finals at the Australian Open this year and he has the potential to upset some of the higher seeded players. Prediction: Quarter-finals.

I was going to include Sam Querrey on this list but after watching him choke against Ginepri, I don't know about his chance. He's a question mark for right now.