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.