US OPEN PREVIEW

ONLY THE BEST SURVIVE

In the tennis world, the sign that the northern hemisphere’s summer is coming to end is the beginning of the final grand slam of the year, the United States Open. The first US Open was played in August of 1881 in Newport, Rhode Island on grass courts. Through the years many variations occurred, from the introduction of new surfaces, both clay and now hard courts, to the changing of venues to Forest Hills, New York, until now where the tournament is held at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, New York. Clearly, tennis in NYC is all about the entertainment. New Yorkers along with fans from across the globe pour into New York every year to witness the toughest two weeks in tennis.

Roger Federer

This year is shaping up to be no different than the years in the past. The contenders in the Men’s tournament include Andy Roddick, Andy Murray, Rafael Nadal, Juan Martin Del Potro, and of course 5 time defending champion Roger Federer. There’s no secret about who the best player in the world is at this very moment. Roger Federer is the clear front runner for his sixth title in a row. Look for a sizzling final between Juan Martin Del Potro and Federer. Using a refreshed mental outlook on his tennis and a healthy body, Federer will once again will be the last man standing at the end of the tournament, but not before an all out war in the final.

Serena Williams

The women’s side is a little more complicated. With the absence and inconsistent play of the top women on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour there isn’t a clear cut favorite. The top contenders include sisters Venus and Serena Williams, world #1 Dinara Safina, Svetlana Kuznetsova, Elena Dementieva and darkhorse Maria Sharapova. Look for wacky results from the later rounds in the women’s tournament and GEM Tennis will pick the best athlete in the tournament, Serena Williams because she’ll win with grit, tenacity, and pure power. Look for her to regain the #1 ranking and defend her US Open title from 2008.

Enjoy a great two weeks and keep checking back with GEMTennis.Com!