Leading contenders for the men’s US Open

HOW THE LEADING MEN SHAPE UP FOR THE US OPEN

NOVAK DJOKOVIC (SRB)

Age: 33

Ranking: 1

Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)

Career prize money: $US143,631,560

Career titles: 79

Grand slam titles: 17 (Australian Open 2008, 2011-2013, 2015-16, 2019-20; French Open 2016; Wimbledon 2011, 2014, 2015, 2018-19; US Open 2011, 2015, 2018)

US Open win-loss record: 72-11

Best US Open results: champion 2011, 2015, 22018; runner-up 2007, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2016

With no Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal in the draw for the first time this century, the Serbian is a raging favourite to claim an 18th grand slam crown.

DOMINIC THIEM (AUT)

Age: 26

Ranking: 3

Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)

Career prize money: $US23,873,943

Career titles: 16

Grand slam titles: 0

US Open win-loss record: 15-6

Best US Open result: quarter-finalist 2018

No longer merely a claycourt specialist, the Austrian looms as Djokovic’s greatest threat and will still be ruing his five-set Australian Open final loss to the world No.1 pre-coronavirus.

DANIIL MEDVEDEV (RUS)

Age: 24

Ranking: 5

Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)

Career prize money: $US11,230,233

Career titles: 7

Grand slam titles: 0

US Open win-loss record: 8-4

Best US Open result: runner-up 2019

The Russian returns to his happiest grand slam hunting ground having gone within a set of upsetting Nadal in last year’s epic final and will again take some stopping.

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS (GRE)

Age: 22

Ranking: 6

Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)

Career prize money: $US11,236,215

Career titles: 5

Grand slam titles: 0

US Open win-loss record: 1-2

Best US Open result: second round 2018

The Greek sensation is widely considered the most likely of generation next to break the big three’s grand slam domination and it seems a matter of when and not if.

ALEXANDER ZVEREV (GER)

Age: 23

Ranking: 7

Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)

Career prize money: $US21,012,015

Career titles: 11

Grand slam titles: 0

US Open win-loss record: 7-5

Best US Open result: fourth round 2019

Germany’s big white hope at last reached his maiden grand slam semi-final at Melbourne Park in January before COVID-19 stalled his progress but he should contend again.

BEST OUTSIDER

ANDY MURRAY (GBR)

Age: 33

Ranking: 134

Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)

Career prize money: $US61,544,007

Career titles: 46

Grand slam titles: 3 (Wimbledon 2013, 2016; US Open 2012)

US Open win-loss record: 45-12

Best US Open results: champion 2012; runner-up 2008

The former world No.1 is contesting his first slam since the 2019 Australian Open and a victory over Zverev this week suggests he could embark on a deep run.

BEST AUSTRALIAN HOPE

ALEX DE MINAUR

Age: 21

Ranking: 26

Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)

Career prize money: $US3,813,424

Career titles: 3

Grand slam titles: 0

US Open win-loss record: 2-1

Best US Open result: fourth round 2019

The Australian No.1 is seeded 21st but has been dealt a treacherous draw and could face fellow young gun Karen Khachanov or Jannik Sinner in round three.

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