DISSECTING THE 2007 US OPEN DRAW - MEN
Roger Federer will be gunning for his 4th straight US Open title. But the draw Gods are definitely conspiring against him this year. Given Federer's mortal/deity status is sort of in question, he just may be able to withstand that kind of pressure. Nonetheless, he'll have to summon everything he's got to get yet another Major title.
First Quarter
 Roger Federer may have to face the big serving John Isner in the third round, and then it gets tougher. Richard Gasquet, Tomas Berdych and Andy Roddick all loom in the distance - and that's just for him to make it to the quarters. Brutal. Having said that, Federer gets through losing something like two sets on the way.
Second Quarter
 Nikolay Davydenko is the top seed in this quarter and he has a fairly soft draw until the round of 16 when he could meet up with Guillermo Canas or Andy Murray. The Russian has been playing great of late, and I like his chances of getting to quarterfinals. I think his run ends there, though, as he'll likely play either James Blake or Marcos Baghdatis. I'm going with the American - nothing sells books like success.
Third Quarter
Novak Djokovic is the top seed here and if he can escape his first two rounds he should be just fine. But what a tough way to start the tournament. A healthy Mario Ancic in the first round, and the streaking Radek Stepanek in the second round. Ouch. With Lleyton Hewitt and Tommy Robredo looming in the distance, it's not a cakewalk there either. But Novak is playing too well to let a bad draw get in his way.
Fourth Quarter
 Rafael Nadal begins yet another quest for a Hard Court Major victory. Will he do it? In a word, no. The world's best #2 player could lose to Dmitry Tursunov, David Ferrer or even Fernando Gonzalez. Nonetheless it's hard to pick against the Spaniard, as no one really wows me in his quarter.
Semifinals: Federer vs. Blake. Federer wins in straight sets
Djokovic vs. Nadal. Djokovic wins in 4 sets
Finals: Federer defeats Djokovic for his fourth straight US Open title.
____________________________________________________________________
Agree or disagree, let your opinions be heard by logging on to the message boards and sounding off with your picks. Click here.
|