Fearless Forecast: US Open 2010 Men's Singles

Although the last of the Slams, this version of the US Open promises to be the most potent since the top 4: Nadal, Federer, Djokovic and Murray are all in top form.  Throw in some dangerous floaters in the second tier - Fish, Baghdatis and Nalbandian, all performed well this hard court season, and you have a men's draw that is very exciting.  Let's see how this pans out in the draw:

I would say, this is the most even men's draw I've seen in years!  Very balanced with each section of the draw having the right mix.  However, this makes the appearance of a surprise semi-finalist more difficult.

Upper First Half

Nadal is the top seed and may cruise easily to the semi's.  His only stumbling block, the returning David Nalbandian.  It really depends on how Nalbandian plays that day, since when he's good, he can be devastating.  But I'd still pick Nadal to top this draw, easily.  He has some worthy opponents along the way - Istomin, Kohlschreiber, Lopez - not quite a walk in the park but manageable.  Nalbandian has lost only to the Top 4 this hard court season but may have to handle Verdasco and Gulbis to reach the quarters.  Nalbandian though, has more Grand Slam pedigree than the two, so should cruise to the quarters with his current brand of play.

Lower First Half

Two worthy American players in this section can stop a Murray-Berdych quarterfinal.  Murray is playing really well and should reach the semi's but may have to beat Querrey and Lu to get there.  Berdych has Hanescu and Stepanek to handle and may have to beat Isner to reach his semi's.  It would be exciting see how the raucous American crowd is going to cheer for Querrey and Isner.  They would really have to be at the top of their game though, to defeat both Europeans, but not an impossible job knowing the home crowd is on their side.  A Querrey-Isner quarterfinal is just as exciting since it may put an American in the semifinal in the upper half of the draw.

Upper Half Semi-Final Picks:  Rafael Nadal (ESP) vs. Andy Murray (GBR)

Upper Second Half 

The Americans should also do well in this section of the draw.  The two men stopping them are two competent Europeans with US Open pedigrees - Davydenko and Djokovic.  The two Americans blocking their way are Roddick and Fish.  Although Roddick did not play so well this hard court season, he should be able to handle Davydenko.  In-form Fish, should bring it to Djokovic, with the help of the local crowd.  A Roddick-Fish quarterfinal is not impossible.

Lower Second Half

Federer should handle his section of the draw well.  He may have to face two former Grand Slam champions along the way - Hewitt and Ferrero.  His main opponent is Cilic in the quarters, but the latter has no Grand Slam pedigree yet so Federer should prevail easily.  Cilic's main opponent is Soderling but Cilic has played well this hard court season and should be able to win over Soderling.

Lower Half Semi-finals Pick:  Mardy Fish (USA) vs. Roger Federer (SUI)

Finals Pick: Andy Murray (GBR) vs. Roger Federer (SUI)

Both hoisted trophies this hard court season so are my top picks to make it to the finals.  It would be easy to surmise that Roger is going to get his sixth US Open title but I'm sure Andy is already hungry for a Grand Slam trophy, and is in-form to win his first.  Federer's Grand Slam finals record is impressive and has five US Open trophies at that, so he has a most likely chance to win this, so Andy has his job cut out for him.  This time though, Andy has the stamina, mental strength and experience to do it.