iPhone app iPad app Android phone app Android tablet app More

Jordan Schultz
jordan.schultz@huffingtonpost.com Become a fan of this reporter
GET UPDATES FROM Jordan
 

U.S. Open 2011: Men's Draw Preview

First Posted: 08/29/11 10:51 PM ET   Updated: 10/29/11 06:12 AM ET

Rafael Nadal is seeking his third Grand Slam in five tries, and while he looks to defend his U.S. Open title, the emergence of Novak Djokovic has become a real problem for the Spaniard. Nadal has even admitted that Djokovic (who has beaten him five straight times), has gotten into his head.

"The Djoker" -- who has twice reached the U.S. Open Final -- has played historically good tennis in 2011. The World No. 1 is 57-2 on the season and is coming off his first Wimbledon title, where he earned a decisive victory over Roger Federer.

Fed, for his part, has looked almost ordinary throughout 2011. He hasn't won a tournament since January, and even more disconcerting for the 30-year-old, he hasn't won a Slam in six tries. That's an eternity for the tour's all-time leader, who has 16 Grand Slam titles to his name.

Novak Djokovic - 11/8
1 of 9
Even after a shoulder injury forced him to retire against Andy Murray in the Western and Southern Open Final last weekend, Djokovic is still having one of the best runs in tennis history. For the first time in his career, he has consistently kept his cool during heated late-match moments. He is 57-2 this season and has captured both the Australian Open and Wimbledon. Continuing to pound away from the baseline, the Serbian has been flat-out dominant with his powerful groundstrokes and improving serve. Assuming his right shoulder is a go, expect plenty more smiles out of Djokovic's camp -- and perhaps a few more imitations -- before he likely faces Federer in the semifinals.
Total comments: 3 | Post a Comment
1 of 9
This Player
Going Home Early
Surefire Winner

  • 1

  • 2

  • 3

  • 4

  • 5

  • 6

  • 7

  • 8

  • 9

  • 10
Top 5 Men's Tennis Players
loading...
Users who voted on this slide
← Prev|Next →
loading...

Pre-tournament odds provided by Bodog.com.

Email me at jordan.schultz@huffingtonpost.com or ask me questions about anything regarding the US Open at @206Child for my upcoming mailbag.

Plus, check out my brand new HuffPost sports blog, The Schultz Report, for a fresh and daily outlook on all things sports.

FOLLOW HUFFPOST SPORTS

Rafael Nadal is seeking his third Grand Slam in five tries, and while he looks to defend his U.S. Open title, the emergence of Novak Djokovic has become a real problem for the Spaniard. Nadal has even...
Rafael Nadal is seeking his third Grand Slam in five tries, and while he looks to defend his U.S. Open title, the emergence of Novak Djokovic has become a real problem for the Spaniard. Nadal has even...
Related News On Huffington Post:
 

What's Your Reaction?
Inspiring
 Funny
 Typical
 Scary
 Outrageous
 Amazing
 Infuriating
 Extreme
 
 
  • Comments
  • 3
  • Pending Comments
  • 0
  • View FAQ
Comments are closed for this entry
View All
Favorites
Recency  | 
Popularity
photo
HUFFPOST COMMUNITY MODERATOR
jl4141
Master of weapons of mouse destruction
659 Fans
 
03:03 PM on 08/30/2011
Lotta good competition in the men's field this year (as usual, really). I'm not really a fan of his, but I'm predicting Andy Murray finally wins his first major here. (I've got a bit of a long-shot track record -- I called it for Del Potro two years ago. Though I admit it wasn't so much out of amazing tennis prognostication but because in my family we root for the Argentinos, as we have some background there.)
Permalink  |
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
frank day
Obama cares about all of U.S.
7652 Fans
 
08:13 AM on 08/30/2011
Roddick needs to win this to find some measure of redemption.
Permalink  |
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
joyf1
Glad I live on an island.
2618 Fans
06:34 PM on 08/30/2011
Oh, we'd never hear the end of it! I pull for Rafa but won't be upset if Nole wins.
Permalink  |