Federer, Djokovic and Nadal will want to avoid these 3 players at the US Open
It’s the last major of the year and the Big 3 of Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Rafa Nadal will want to win it, so we’ve analysed the 3 players that have the best chance of causing an upset at this year’s US Open
Between them, Federer, Nadal and Djokovic have won the last 11 Grand Slam singles titles which only highlights the dominance they have enjoyed in the biggest tournaments, but that doesn’t mean the rest of the filed aren’t getting better, they just haven’t been good enough to topple the 3 greatest players of all time on the biggest stage. But it will happen soon and next week’s 2019 US Open could well be the time.
Here, tennishead identifies the 3 players that have the best chance of toppling one of the big 3 and making a run to the final of this year’s mens singles at the US Open
Kei Nishikori (JPN)
Age: 29
World ranking: 7
US Open seeding (expected): 7
US Open best result: Finals 2014
Win/Loss record against ‘Big 3’: 7/25
Year to date Win/Loss: 27/13
After a series of terrible injuries the Japanese superstar is most definitely back on the road to the quality and persistence that helped him reach the top 5 in the world and the final of the US Open. And it’s that experience and ability to keep going in the brutal heat of New York that mark him out as the most likely contender to upset one of the Big 3 this year
Daniil Medvedev (RUS)
Age: 23
World ranking: 5
US Open seeding (expected): 5
US Open best result: Round of 32
Win/Loss record against ‘Big 3’: 2/7
Year to date Win/Loss: 44/16
They say form is temporary but class is permanent, well Daniil Medvedev has both of these in buckets right now. He’s coming off the back of a victory in a Masters 1000 for the first time including beating Novak Djokovic along the way. He’s won the most matches of any player on tour this year and he’s got the perfect physique to survive in the heat of New York. Expect big things from this gentleman of the sport.
Karen Khachanov (RUS)
Age: 23
World ranking: 9
US Open seeding (expected): 9
US Open best result: Round of 32
Win/Loss record against ‘Big 3’: 8/1
Year to date Win/Loss: 22/19
Maybe a surprise choice for our 3rd player we think could cause an upset if he faces one of the Big 3, but Khachanov most definitely has the game to topple anyone as he proved in Paris last year when he won the Masters. An inexplicable decision to change rackets at the precise moment his game was at it’s best has knocked him back maybe a year in his development but now he’s back with his trusty old weapon you can expect this big hitter to go far.
Look ahead to the rest of 2019 with our guides to every tournament on the ATP Tour and the WTA Tour. If you can’t visit the tournaments you love then do the next best thing and read our guide on how to watch all the ATP Tour matches on television in 2019. To read more amazing articles like this you can explore Tennishead magazine here or you can subscribe for free to our email newsletter here
