Year after year I always get a bit caught by surprise when the final major of the year begins. It might be the start of the football season a few weeks before or the relatively quiet UK coverage of the summer hard court season. Either way, suddenly we’re in Slam mode once again at ATT towers, and there is much to look forward to.
Obviously, New York twelve months ago played host to a very special tournament in both the men and women’s competitions. Will we see such history making this time around? Frankly no, but that doesn’t downgrade the stories that will emerge. Serena Williams’ remarkable career may well end here which in any other year would be the tournament story itself. But Medvedev and especially Raducanu’s title defences will be closely monitored, wildly fluctuating fortunes no doubt, but fascinating nonetheless. Novak’s absence is in many ways both an oddly minor curio and an almost expected, run-of-the-mill fact that doesn’t really warrant any more waffle from me really. Not quite a ‘good riddance’, more of an indifferent shrug. Moving On.
(Famously bad) Tournament Predictions
Alcaraz and Kyrgios to have a good tournament, but Medvedev still to win? Murray to shine a little before exiting and Rafa to fall early.
Raducanu to bow out in the first week, 2021 finalist Fernandez to follow her. Serena too sadly, but perhaps a fairytale run with Venus in the doubles. Swiatek and maybe Garcia to have deep runs but another new winner; Gauff, Kasatkina or perhaps Anisimova?
Day 1 Matches to Watch
Serena Vs Kovinic
Kyrgios Vs Kokkinakis
Cerundolo Vs Murray
Fernandez Vs Odin
Carreno Busta Vs Thiem
Wawrinka Vs Moutet
Picture Credit: US Open Official Site
All Things Tennis 