Well, let me see, eeny meeny miny mo (hm) Roger gets my vote. :) Go Rog! GO! C'MON!!! :)

sky,you should be worried.Borg is supposed to be a psychic!

OMG Borg and his wonderful crystal ball! One day Andy "might be No1"..get away, REALLY, oh go on....such a shock to my delicate system I must now lie down in a darkened room with smelling salts...

I am hoping for a final without Roger.There was a time when a Fedal final was heaven.That Roger would be in the final was a given.But if the opponent was anyone other than Rafa,you could depend on him to roll over and die.Only with Rafa,were we assured of a real fight .But now after seeing Roger in innumerable finals,I am bored.16 GS,17 Masters,so many ATP titles and so many finals! I would like to see a final between the other 3 from the top 4 or at least one of them vs Soderling/Berdych

Isn't there respect to Del potro? He destroyed Roger's 6th straight victory. Fedal is bored. I love Roger. I want him to win the championship again because I am Roger's fan. But, Everyone has the chance to defeat Roger.

Roger is 29 years old already. It was sickness and injured. The slump is also long. Roger and Murray's finals. Novak and Murray's finals. Nad. Fish. AndyR. Robin. Everyone has the chance.

vij, your dream may come true someday, but Roger is the gateway to the hard court Grand Slams (as mentioned by someone else on this site (sorry to say I don't remember who). I stand by that perception, or interpretation. Roger is still here. His gladiator days are not over (albeit he is not without his scars). You know the saying: "It's not over till it's over." Roger continues to be a BIG fav this year in US Open. Predictions by Borg is not going to make any difference. The man is practically a clown now. Too bad. How can anyone in the knowing of tennis, not include Roger Federer as the man to beat at the US Open this year?! LOL I will say this: "May the best man of the tournament win. Whoever is standing at the podium as the winner (as always) will have earned it". I stand by Roger. He is a pillar. On hard court he is "still" very much a danger to the other players. A player who is quite capable of pulling an obset to those who are not his fans. He has shown since the Rogers' Cup in Toronto an improvement. I believe he will bank on that improvement and expand his dream of another SLAM at the US Open. Let's watch and see. :)

I hope that Nadal wins the US Open this year. He will always creat break points but unless he can serve strongly and consistently he will always struggle against the higher ranked players on a hard court. Murray is an obvious contender but Borg is way off with Berdych and Soderling as both players have shown a lack of mental toughness in the big matches. It is unfortunate but true that Federer does seem the favourite for the title simply as he has the beating of nearly everyone when it matters most in the hardcourt slams. Ironically if he were to meet Rafa in the final then I'm sure Rafa would topple him again in a five setter. Given that I have to agree with vij that Nadal-Federer US final would be great and also historic for tennis

deuce -

I'm going to predict something I have never actually predicted before a slam before: that muzz is going to win it. I've always HOPED he'd win a slam and I've always believed it COULD happen, but I've never put my head above the parapet and said he's going to do it now.

But if he can't do it now, when can he? So here goes ...

It's time.

Again he's the favorite? Every year and every slam.

Alex dont you think you perhaps should have whispered that in the ear of Deuce - rather than going public - you dont want to jinx the poor boy before he's even played a match. Hope you're putting some money on the result!

I was the one who mentioned that Fed is the gatekeeper for the hard court slams and Rafa is the gatekeeper for the clay and grass court slams. I do think that Fed will be in the final of the USO, the other finalist can be anyone from Rafa, Nole/Murray/Berdych (depending on which side of the draw they fall into).

Alex, I think you might actually be right. Muzz is my pick too. Maybe he can overcome the Borg curse....

I think Murray will have chance to be no.1, so does Nole and Delpo. It will be interesting to see after Fed/Rafa, how the others fight to be no.1; who knows Berdych may also have a chance! I also hope for Cilic to mature and improve his game to be in contention too! I like Cilic's game and composure, what he lacks is some mental toughness, how I wish he could have that of Rafa's, and with some muscles and power, he'll be a formidable force in future. He moves well for his height and he is such a graceful mover around the court.

I too like Cilic luckystar. :) I expect more talent, and composure from him in time... As for Murray I'm surprised how many people like him. I don't care about the person he projects. I feel Rafa and Roger are good for tennis. I don't have this same impression of Andy Murray. He will no doubt win at least one slam at some point in his career, but is it going to be this year's US Open? How many times have people said Andy Murray is going to win a slam already (or have wanted him too)? Those people are still waiting unfortunately. Somehow I feel the FED will find a way at the US Open. He "can" be hard to beat that FED when he is on his game. He has proven to be better lately than he has been for awhile. Was good in Toronto and Cincinnati. For those who would criticize him I would say winning one and being in the final of the other is quite sufficient preparation for the US Open. Although his game is not perfect, he has come up with the goods. Roger will be a dangerous opponent at the US Open, and I expect he will come out with the goods. I'm looking forward to the games. I repeat, Roger was not this good in Wimbledon.

alex would u please just shush.....btw Mac says 2011?

Its Rafa all the way my friends...:) May make no sense now, but that is what I feel.

hey isabeau77, lost a lot of energy during FO & W prognosis and predictions? haha!

Rafans, just wait, our guy will bite the big apple winner's trophy in 2 weeks time!

I am confident that he is healthy/fit so there is no reason not winning it this time.

Vamos!!!

Of course Borg will pick anyone but Rafa. Rafa is about to beat his RG record, and if he wins the USO which Borg never did, that would be another one up for Rafa over him.

If it is not to be Rafa, Andy is my next choice. But am fearful the weight of expectation may once again prove too much for Andy.

Raindrops: Hope you are practicising your Rain Dance. The last thing we want are the delays which have plagued the last two tournaments.

Raindrops- Yes I cant be bothered anymore trying to justify or argue with people about whom I think will win the US Open. I was doing so all throughout the Wimbledon and the FRench Open until I was blue in the face, saying that Rafa would win these even when everyone was doubting him.

I said he wouldnt win Cincy or Toronto, but can I let you in on a secret, I am glad he didnt, because he didnt push himself, he didnt show any of his cards, he used these tournaments to shake out the rust.
Therefore no one has any clue what Rafa will or will not bring to the US Open, but I am willing to bet, no player will be ready for it and I dont care who you throw at him.

ed, no need for me to practice Rain dance (I am not good at it). Anyway we have a Rafan belly dancer here, none other than Monalysa.

Ask remi, jayhu, nadline, duece, phoenix or even maxi (she was malteser1 that time), they knew it. haha!

Let's get ready for 2 gruelling weeks...vamos Rafa, wish you the best!

Isabeau,

I'm with you on this. I don't possess your gift or have particularly great instincts when it comes to predictions but I've had a feeling all year that Rafa was going to win the USO. This year. It looks very unlikely at this stage, it's Murray's strongest slam, Roger is coming off a winning a title on a surface he's excellent on, Soderling and Berdych are looking like threats. Rafa himself isn't looking at his best and yet, the feeling persists.

Here's hoping he comes through and wins this.

sorry deuce - I accept full responsibility if he loses. But I'm going for it :)

cheryl - yep, borg is the only one that troubles me (especially when he's touting the likes of soderling/berdych as well).

Correct me if I am wrong but didnt Borg pick Soderling to win this years French Open. Has Borg been ever right in any of his predictions? I dont think he has. Correct me if I am wrong.

Zooni-
I cant shake it either. All logic and form on the hard stuff says Murray, Fed....but nope my instinct is yelling at me saying "Its Rafas!"

All in all though we will just have to wait and see. I cant wait!

Rafa has rested pretty well at Toronto and Cincy. Now it's time to take the only title missing in his career. He should bring his A game to Flushing Meadows and I am sure hes capable of doing so. Come on Rafa, serve well, convert break points and take care of the knees......

........... it's Murray's strongest slam, Roger is coming off a winning a title on a surface he's excellent on, Soderling and Berdych are looking like threats. Rafa himself isn't looking at his best and yet, the feeling persists.

Here's hoping he comes through and wins this.

Zooni , 8/26/10 2:26 P


This sort of statement creases me up, so this is Murray's strongest GS as opposed to whom? Sod and Berdy looking as threats, while Rafa isn't looking his best yet???????

Lets look at the evidence:

USO

...................05------06-------07------08---- --09

Rafa............3R------Qtr------4R------SF------SF

Murray. ........2R------4R------3R-------F-------4R

Djoko...........3R----- -3R------F---------SF------SF

Sod..............3R------2R------A--- ------1R------Qtr

Berdy...........3R------4R------4R--------1R----- -3R


Only Djoko has a better showing at the USO than Rafa, OK so Murray reached the final in 2008, but it is the one and only time he has made it past the 4th round, yet people have this notion that he has a better chance than Rafa at the USO.

As for Sod and Berdy, what did they do in Toronto and Canada, both R16 for Sod, R16 and Qtr for Berdych, and Qtr and SF for Rafa, yet they are given more chances than Rafa at the USO.

People should check the facts!!!!!!!!!

Rafa at his worst is usually better than 98% of the top 100 at their best at the USO

My above post is excepting Federer, of course, whose record at the USO is undisputed.

Poor Djoker always falls in Fed's half in HC and on clay he gets Rafa..

Poor Guy.

I too agree with isabeau.
RAFA's loss to Murray & Bagdi looked unreal, I really felt he was preparing for the big goal.
As RAFA knew Fed is the biggest threat for that goal he avoided fed in both Cincy & Toronto. and kept H2H advantage intact.
RAFA is the favourite for USO, if anyone can stop him it must be Roger Federer.

Nadline, I dont know how ELSE you can bring that point home!!!!!

I guess its the only so called weapon that is there against Rafa, so people use it. Soon Rafa will prove himself as he always does, and then....................what will they come up with next?

Good luck Rafa at F-Meadows!!

VAMOS!!!

to pick Sod or Berdy to win USO is beyond comprehension...both of them can easily be beaten by Nalby or Gulbis at earlier rounds...even Youzny is a threat for them as he also plays the same type of tennis...

Both Sod and Berdy are be dangerous if on fire but equally both can be inconsistent. Impossible to make any prediction until the draw is out but it wouldn't be a surprise if one or other (but not both!) make it to the QFs.

isabeau,

I have to believe in you, given your track record! :)

Right now I have just come on and seen the draw and am a bit overwhelmed. There are some really tough opponents that Rafa could meet! However, before I get too anxious, I have to remember that it may not play out that way.

I did share your sense that Rafa was just not playing full out at Toronto and Cincy. I hope that he was just holding back so as not to get injured. I would love nothing better than to see him come out guns blazing and shock the living daylights out of those who have already written him off.

There are no easy roads to a slam these days.

As far as Borg, while I loved him when he was playing, he broke my heart when he walked off the court in 1981 after losing his second straight final to MacEnroe. He never came back. At least Rafa is still in there fighting to win this slam. His predictions are worthless. He seems to go with who he wants to win, rather than who has a solid chance to win.

Sod has been quite inconsistent for some time now. Berdych didn't look that great at Cincy and Toronto. There are a number of dark horses who have a shot at causing an upset. We will have to wait and see.

I have to trust our resident psychic! She has not been wrong yet! :)

I find Rafa's draw loaded but I had felt the same way when I saw the Wimby draw .But Fate had ordained that Rafa would win Wimby.Isner was neutralized by Mahut and Sod was given a tough fight by Ferrer thereby impacting his ability to tire out or challenge Rafa.So if Rafa is destined to win this US open,his way will become easy!
However Fed's road seems a little too easy ,so unless he hits himself on the head he should reach the quarters with no hiccups.And then he meets Sod who hasn't seemed in good form lately.Federer must have made a pact with the devil!

Nadline,

I have checked facts, thanks. When I said Sod and Berdych are looking like threats, I don't mean they'll necessarily win it, but they can easily take out any player, INCLUDING Federer and Rafa, if they're not *on* . That's what I meant by the word threat. I've come to learn past results mean nothing, it's the here and now that counts and I find it hard to argue against the fact that both Soderling and Berdych are different players than they were this time last year.

And yes, I do believe this is Murray's best slam. He thrives on this surface and if there was ever a place for him to win a Grand Slam I'd wager it would be at the USO.

If you disagree that's okay but why the mocking tone? I was only stating an opinion.

Native, the really sad part in that Borg did come back, but not until the early 1990s when he was well into his 30s and the game (and racquet technology) had moved on. The less said about that sorry episode, the better.

gorafago,

Yes, you are correct. It was painful to see. He was no longer in his prime. He truly broke my heart.

As you say, the less said about that sad time, the better!

Zooni, it's just that I constantly read negative posts about Rafa, no one is ever positive about him unless he has actually won something. I tried to show that the optimism over Murray at the USO is somewhat overcooked, considering he's only made the SF once the year he got to the final.

nadline and zooni,

I think you both make some good points.

To Zooni -

While Sod has not looked good recently and has been inconsistent, as I recall he also didn't look all that good in the clay court tournaments leading up the RG. Then he just caught fire and playing brilliant tennis to knock out Fed in the quarterfinals. Sod and Berdych went at it in a tough five setter in the semis. Both men are playing with confidence. One cannot always rely on the warmup tournaments to determine just how big a threat a player can be. I think both Sod and Berdych have to be considered legitimate threats here to at least cause an upset.

To nadline -

I am with you in being pretty fed up reading so many negative posts about Rafa on hardcourts. It gets really old. Rafa has some dangerous players in his draw, but they have to get through to meet him.

I don't know that it really matters if it's Djoker or Murray. They are both strong hardcourt players. Djoker always seems to play his best tennis when he meets Rafa. People are reading a lot into Murray's victory over Rafa at Toronto. That was not Rafa playing his best. If they meet in the semis, and right now that is looking WAY ahead, then I expect it to be another tightly contested match.

Murray will be coming into this tournament with a good deal of confidence after beating Nalby, Rafa and Fed at Toronto. That does not guarantee that the same thing will happen in a slam. Rafa is a ferocious competitor and will not go down easy.

It's so important to peak at the right time. If Rafa manages to bring his best tennis, then he is capable of beating anybody.

Borg also said "Soderling will become no1 in the world, quicker than we think"...

The fan of Nadal is always annoying.
But, Nadal is the easiest draw.. sigh

I hope, Nadal never win the us open.
nver

I'm not being negative about Rafa at all! On the contrary, I actually believe he's going to win this. But I have to be pragmatic as well, this is a surface that Rafa struggles with and while there are no guarantees on any surface, Rafa's likelier to lose a HC tournament than a clay one for instance. Doesn't mean he's going to though.

I wasn't disheartened by his losses at Toronto and Cincy, I think he played pretty well at times although not consistently. But grandslams are a different ball game all together. Like NNY said, it's all about peaking at the right time. I think we'll see Rafa do that at the USO.

Nadal hater is always annoying
Nadal's draw is not the easiest
Hope Nadal win US open this time....

Hello.
The fan of Nadal is always annoying.
But, Nadal is the easiest draw.. sigh
I hope, Nadal never win the us open. never

Nadal will win the US Open soon or later

Rafa MUST win this USO, so he can have a good shot for a RAFA SLAM, thought of that is what the fedfarts are fearing of, 100% sure of that. I wish Rafa to win it this time to complete Career GOLDEN Slam at early stage of his career then by January/February, AO will crown the greatness of Rafa.

Be afraid be very afraid !

Actually my target for Rafa is two slams every year.... but if he could add 1 more, I don't mind at all... relax Rafa... just Relax... you are simple the best....

Rafa wants this title so much that he'll give his all. His qtr is not as gimme as Federer's, but I think that will stand him in good stead to really get his shots going for later on. Gabashvili is very hyper active, that will keep Rafa on his toes, and I have just watched Rafa/Istomin at Queens which Rafa won in 3 sets, inspite of that, I don't think Rafa will have too much problems with him.

Roger will be strolling up to the SF, no doubt about it, but that will not prepare him for later on.

I'd be interested to see how the scheduling goes, if the bottom half will play before the top half.

Nadline: Rafa's half should play first, don't know how the tournament could possibly justify otherwise! Look what happened 2008!

deuce, I hope so.