Last Grand Slam Tournament of the season will start in a week. US Open 2019 is the last chance for a lot of players to make this season a successful one. On the other hand, we got used to many withdrawals and retirements during the matches due to injuries. The last three months of the season take its toll. Who do we see as main favorites of the upcoming tournament and why? Read below.
Men’s Singles draw
US Open 2018 winner: Djokovic
Our pre-season US Open 2019 pick: Djokovic
Readers poll: 47% Djokovic, 20% Federer, 13% Nadal
One of The Great Trio?
There is no doubt who we are writing about. Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer are the biggest favorites of any event they participate in. There is no difference with Grand Slam tournaments. Moreover, last time when someone else won the Grand Slam was back in 2016, when Andy Murray won Wimbledon and Stan Wawrinka won US Open. Years 2017, 2018, and 2019 belong to Djokovic, Nadal, and Federer. Novak Djokovic won 4 Grand Slams (Wimbledon 2018, 2019, Australian Open 2019, US Open 2018), Rafael Nadal also 4 Grand Slams (Roland Garros 2017, 2018, 2019 and US Open 2017), and Roger Federer “just” 3 Grand Slams (Australian Open 2017, 2018, Wimbledon 2017). The time pattern points to Roger Federer decline, if you can call numerous final appearance a decline, Novak Djokovic dominance in past 12 months and Rafael Nadal staying strong on clay in Paris.
The preparation for US Open 2019 went differently for them. Nadal seems the best at the moment with his win in Montreal and taking two weeks to rest afterward. Novak Djokovic failed in the semifinal in Cincinnati with talented Daniil Medvedev, but his performance was still above-average. Just Roger Federer had his issues when surprising loss with Rublev in the first match in Cincy came. However, we are far from writing Roger off.
Or someone from NextGen Medvedev?
So-called Next Gen players term are clearly losing its meaning. I prefer to use term other players competing for fourth place in ATP ranking. Currently, one name dominates all possible discussions about future number four (and maybe number one in far future). Daniil Medvedev has terrific summer 2019. Finals appearance in Washington (loss with Kyrgios 6-7 6-7) and Montreal (loss with Nadal 3-6 0-6) and claiming the trophy in Cincinnati (win over Goffin 7-6 6-4) shoot the 23 years old Russian to number 5 in ATP ranking. His career-best at the moment but many believe he is the one to reach the top 4 or even top 3 in coming months. US Open 2019 can be his first slam where he achieves great things, but will he? I am afraid that the number of matches he played in last weeks will show up in New York. I would not rule out the loss in the first round. And if he survives to the second week, he has to beat at least two out of great trio we mentioned above. That seems impossible to me at the moment.
Pre-tournament Men’s US Open 2019 pick
Novak Djokovic has everything a great player should have. He is the youngest from the great trio and has all the tools to beat Rafa and Roger in possible match-ups. I see no reason to change my pre-season view, so I pick Novak Djokovic as US Open 2019 winner
Ladies Singles draw
US Open 2018 winner: Osaka
Our pre-season US Open 2019 pick: Williams Serena
Readers poll: 42% Halep, 17% Serena Williams, 17% Osaka
Shortlist
Last year we saw a big surprise at the US Open. This year we know that whoever from the top 20 can win a WTA tournament and it cannot be called a surprise. I tried to shortlist the names I like most as possible winners in New York: Barty Ashleigh, Pliskova Karolina, Halep Simona, Williams Serena, Bianca Andreescu. One of these five ladies will be my pick for winner of US Open 2019.
I am not considering Naomi Osaka as she is currently losing it at the court. The fame and the pressure are too big for her at the moment. Petra Kvitova would be a great winner of anything but arm injury is limiting her performance during long two weeks tournament. Madison Keys is a surprise winner of Cincinnati but winning US Open is still a different class.
Pre-tournament Ladies US Open 2019 pick
I like the chances of Karolina Pliskova who timed her form for this Grand Slam and I believe she can go really far in draw. However, this time I will stick with my pre-season pick. Serena Williams had a great tournament in Toronto. She had to retire during finals but I believe two weeks are enough for recovery. US Open is a tournament most suitable for her to win.
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