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Are we in for a Rafael Nadal repeat? Is the seemingly ageless Roger Federer destined for a record sixth men's US Open trophy? How will former titlists Andy Murray and Stan Wawrinka hold up given their recent injury woes? Can two-time winner Novak Djokovic sustain his resurgence? Or will a young gun like Alexander Zverev usher in a new era, breaking up the Grand Slam stranglehold of his aforementioned on-court colleagues?

Questions abound as we embark on this 50th anniversary edition of the US Open. We’ve had three different men's champions at the first three majors of the year: Australian Open (Federer), Roland Garros (Nadal) and Wimbledon (Djokovic). Should one of them raise the Tiffany & Co. hardware on Sept. 9 in Arthur Ashe Stadium, they would surely earn player-of-the-year status. As if the $3.8 million in prize money isn’t already incentive enough, that’s sure something to play for. USOpen.org takes a closer look at the draw:



Roger Federer practicing in the Grandstand
Roger Federer practiced in Grandstand on Wednesday as part of Fan Week. Photo: Ashley Marshall/USOpen.orgRoger Federer practiced in Grandstand on Wednesday as part of Fan Week. Photo: Ashley Marshall/USOpen.orgRoger Federer won five consecutive title between 2004 and 2008. Photo: Ashley Marshall/USOpen.orgRoger Federer won five consecutive title between 2004 and 2008. Photo: Ashley Marshall/USOpen.orgThe Maestro last reached the US Open in 2015, a loss to Novak Djokovic. Photo: Ashley Marshall/USOpen.orgThe Maestro last reached the US Open in 2015, a loss to Novak Djokovic. Photo: Ashley Marshall/USOpen.orgRoger Federer hits a forehand during a practice session Wednesday morning. Photo: Ashley Marshall/USOpen.orgRoger Federer hits a forehand during a practice session Wednesday morning. Photo: Ashley Marshall/USOpen.orgRoger Federer has an 82-12 record in 17 trips to New York City. Photo: Ashley Marshall/USOpen.orgRoger Federer has an 82-12 record in 17 trips to New York City. Photo: Ashley Marshall/USOpen.orgRoger Federer is the No. 2 seed at the 2018 US Open. He has never played top seed Rafael Nadal in New York and would only face him this year if they both reach the final. Photo: Ashley Marshall/USOpen.orgRoger Federer is the No. 2 seed at the 2018 US Open. He has never played top seed Rafael Nadal in New York and would only face him this year if they both reach the final. Photo: Ashley Marshall/USOpen.orgRoger Federer's coaches look on during a practice session inside the Grandstand. Photo: Ashley Marshall/USOpen.orgRoger Federer's coaches look on during a practice session inside the Grandstand. Photo: Ashley Marshall/USOpen.orgRoger Federer continues to wear Nike shoes even though he has changed to Uniqlo for his other items of on-court clothing. Photo: Ashley Marshall/USOpen.orgRoger Federer continues to wear Nike shoes even though he has changed to Uniqlo for his other items of on-court clothing. Photo: Ashley Marshall/USOpen.orgRoger Federer practicing at the 2018 US Open. Photo: Ashley Marshall/USOpen.orgRoger Federer practicing at the 2018 US Open. Photo: Ashley Marshall/USOpen.orgRoger Federer follows through on a forehand during a hit in the Grandstand on Wednesday. Photo: Ashley Marshall/USOpen.orgRoger Federer follows through on a forehand during a hit in the Grandstand on Wednesday. Photo: Ashley Marshall/USOpen.orgRoger Federer is escorted through the grounds of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on his way to the court. Photo: Ashley Marshall/USOpen.orgRoger Federer is escorted through the grounds of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on his way to the court. Photo: Ashley Marshall/USOpen.org
TOP HALF

Rafael Nadal’s Quarter

Top seed and defending champ Nadal has never been one to shy away from a tough draw, but there must have been a collective sigh of relief amongst the Nadal camp upon learning that career-long rivals Federer and Djokovic both landed on the opposite side of the Mallorcan’s 2018 US Open draw.

Not that Nadal has an easy road. He’ll open against countryman and longtime Davis Cup teammate David Ferrer – a two-time semifinalist in Flushing Meadows (2007, 2012) – and could face American Jack Sock or Brit Kyle Edmund in the Round of 16. Beyond that lies a potential rematch of last year’s US Open final, this time in the quarters, as No. 5 seed Kevin Anderson also lurks in Nadal’s quadrant.

To get there, Anderson, a Wimbledon runner-up earlier this summer, would have to navigate the likes of Dominic Thiem, Denis Shapovalov and Andrey Rublev, or Americans Sam Querrey, Steve Johnson, Taylor Fritz and Ryan Harrison. After his run to the Toronto title, Nadal opted to sit out the Cincy Masters and arrives at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center rested and ready. That’s bad news for the opposition.



SEE ALSO: Six months ago, Rafael Nadal didn’t expect to be at the US Open, with an injury forcing him out of action. But now, he is arguably a co-favorite with Novak Djokovic to take another US Open title.

Playing field set after 2018 US Open Draw Ceremony
August 23, 2018 - The US Open Men's Singles trophy at the 2018 US Open Draw Ceremony at Brookfield Place in New York, New York.August 23, 2018 - The US Open Men's Singles trophy at the 2018 US Open Draw Ceremony at Brookfield Place in New York, New York.August 23, 2018 - Chris McKendry, Tracy Austin, and Chris Fowler at the 2018 US Open Draw Ceremony at Brookfield Place in New York, New York.August 23, 2018 - Chris McKendry, Tracy Austin, and Chris Fowler at the 2018 US Open Draw Ceremony at Brookfield Place in New York, New York.August 23, 2018 - Fans at the 2018 US Open Draw Ceremony at Brookfield Place in New York, New York.August 23, 2018 - Fans at the 2018 US Open Draw Ceremony at Brookfield Place in New York, New York.August 23, 2018 - Gordon Smith, USTA CEO, and Katrina Adams, USTA President and Chairman, at the 2018 US Open Draw Ceremony at Brookfield Place in New York, New York.August 23, 2018 - Gordon Smith, USTA CEO, and Katrina Adams, USTA President and Chairman, at the 2018 US Open Draw Ceremony at Brookfield Place in New York, New York.August 23, 2018 - Chris McKendry, Tracy Austin, and Chris Fowler at the 2018 US Open Draw Ceremony at Brookfield Place in New York, New York.August 23, 2018 - Chris McKendry, Tracy Austin, and Chris Fowler at the 2018 US Open Draw Ceremony at Brookfield Place in New York, New York.August 23, 2018 - Chris McKendry, Tracy Austin, and Chris Fowler at the 2018 US Open Draw Ceremony at Brookfield Place in New York, New York.August 23, 2018 - Chris McKendry, Tracy Austin, and Chris Fowler at the 2018 US Open Draw Ceremony at Brookfield Place in New York, New York.August 23, 2018 - Chris McKendry, Tracy Austin, and Chris Fowler at the 2018 US Open Draw Ceremony at Brookfield Place in New York, New York.August 23, 2018 - Chris McKendry, Tracy Austin, and Chris Fowler at the 2018 US Open Draw Ceremony at Brookfield Place in New York, New York.August 23, 2018 - Chris McKendry, Tracy Austin, and Chris Fowler at the 2018 US Open Draw Ceremony at Brookfield Place in New York, New York.August 23, 2018 - Chris McKendry, Tracy Austin, and Chris Fowler at the 2018 US Open Draw Ceremony at Brookfield Place in New York, New York.August 23, 2018 - Chris McKendry, Tracy Austin, and Chris Fowler at the 2018 US Open Draw Ceremony at Brookfield Place in New York, New York.August 23, 2018 - Chris McKendry, Tracy Austin, and Chris Fowler at the 2018 US Open Draw Ceremony at Brookfield Place in New York, New York.August 23, 2018 - Chris McKendry, Tracy Austin, and Chris Fowler at the 2018 US Open Draw Ceremony at Brookfield Place in New York, New York.August 23, 2018 - Chris McKendry, Tracy Austin, and Chris Fowler at the 2018 US Open Draw Ceremony at Brookfield Place in New York, New York.August 23, 2018 - The Men's and Women's Singles trophies at the 2018 US Open Draw Ceremony at Brookfield Place in New York, New York.August 23, 2018 - The Men's and Women's Singles trophies at the 2018 US Open Draw Ceremony at Brookfield Place in New York, New York.August 23, 2018 - Chris McKendry, Tracy Austin, and Chris Fowler at the 2018 US Open Draw Ceremony at Brookfield Place in New York, New York.August 23, 2018 - Chris McKendry, Tracy Austin, and Chris Fowler at the 2018 US Open Draw Ceremony at Brookfield Place in New York, New York.
Juan Martin del Potro’s Quarter

Juan Martin del Potro’s improbable comeback from two sets down against Dominic Thiem was the match of the tournament in 2017; a 1-6, 2-6, 6-1, 7-6, 6-4 Grandstand stunner in which the ailing Argentine – barely able to remain upright in the early goings – saved two match points. (Delpo would go on to oust Federer in the quarterfinals.)

With his wrist woes behind him and again playing the kind of heavy-ball tennis that saw him capture the 2009 US Open, the No. 3 seed heads an intriguing quarter of the draw that features no less than three former singles champions – himself, Murray (2012) and Wawrinka (2016). But there are plenty of other obstacles here, too, including Borna Coric, Grigor Dimitrov, Milos Raonic, Miami/Atlanta champ John Isner and 20-year-old Greek sensation Stefanos Tsitsipas, who recently became the youngest competitor to defeat four straight Top-10 players at the same event since the ATP World Tour was established in 1990.

Dimitrov vs. wild card Wawrinka in the opening round? Del Potro vs. unseeded Murray in the third round? This quarter’s got it all.

play video 50 Moments That Mattered: Del Potro edges Federer for 2009 title
BOTTOM HALF

Alexander Zverev’s Quarter

Sascha Zverev has done just about everything else but become a consistent second-week presence at the majors. In 2017, he downed Djokovic in Rome to become the youngest player since his vanquished opponent to win a Masters 1000 title in a decade. He subsequently bagged a second consecutive Masters 1000 trophy in Montreal, downing his childhood idol – Federer – in the process. His third Masters 1000 title came earlier this year in Madrid, where his serve was never broken and he didn’t drop a set.

But the 6-foot-6 wunderkind, ranked No. 4 in the world, has reached just one Slam quarterfinal (2018 Roland Garros) and is still finding his way at the sport’s Big Four events. “For some reason, he plays freer when he plays in the [Masters] 1000s and some of the smaller events than he does in the Slams,” said ESPN commentator Brad Gilbert this week. “He has to forget about the expectations and play the opponent on the other side of the net.”

Those early-round opponents could include 2014 finalist Kei Nishikori, Gael Monfils, David Goffin or Diego Schwartzman, with a potential quarterfinal matchup against 2014 champ and No. 7 seed Marin Cilic. The good news for Zverev is that he’s still young (21). There’s plenty of time for the German to make his mark at the Slams, and the 2018 US Open might just prove his coming-out party.

As Nadal said in May, “If he’s not playing well in Grand Slams in the next two years, you can come back to me and tell me, ‘You don’t know anything about tennis.’” (It’s safe to say the winner of 17 majors knows a thing or two about the game.)



SEE ALSO: Alexander Zverev won his third ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title last week with a victory over Dominic Thiem in the final.

Roger Federer’s Quarter

If there was a worst-case scenario for the No. 2-seeded Federer – now a decade removed from his last US Open title – it was winding up in the same quarter as Djokovic, who only days ago dispatched him in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4, in the Cincinnati final. But as fate would have it, that's just how it happened.

Djokovic’s return to the top of the sport has been downright miraculous when you look at just how far he had fallen over the past year and a half. Consider the Serb’s form at Indian Wells in March: having undergone elbow surgery at the beginning of the year, the two-time US Open champion (2011, 2015) looked so lost on the court that he was stunned by a No. 109-ranked qualifier, Japan’s Taro Daniel. Whether it was the physical setbacks or merely a spiritual walkabout, many wondered if one of the sport’s most dominant forces could ever regain his former machine-like form.

But Djokovic has sure silenced the critics. He captured his 13th Grand Slam title at Wimbledon in July, downing Anderson, and was simply dominant against Federer in Ohio, arriving in Flushing Meadows as perhaps the tournament favorite. Federer’s path to a quarterfinal against Djokovic could include a mouthwatering third-round encounter with the enigmatic but wildly talented Nick Kyrgios, and a Round-of-16 head-to-head with #NextGen standout Hyeon Chung or Fabio Fognini, who already owns three titles on the year (Sao Paulo, Bastad, Los Cabos). Djokovic, meanwhile, is facing a possible third-rounder against Richard Gasquet, followed by Lucas Pouille or Pablo Carreno Busta.



SEE ALSO: Roger Federer he’s not the US Open favorite this year, but could still win his sixth title with “a lot of energy.”

First-Rounders to Watch:

Stan Warinka vs. Grigor Dimitrov
Rafael Nadal vs. David Ferrer
Kevin Anderson vs. Ryan Harrison
Mischa Zverev vs. Taylor Fritz
Milos Raonic vs. Jared Donaldson

THE WOMEN'S DRAW: Six-time US Open champion Serena Williams could be set for a prime-time third-round matchup with sister Venus Williams at the 2018 US Open.

Spaniard is one of seven #NextGenATP in the final round of qualifying
Pedro Martinez will always remember this moment. The 21-year-old Spaniard turned in the clutch performance of the week at US Open qualifying, rallying to defeat Christian Harrison 1-6, 7-6(5), 6-3 in two hours and 42 minutes.

Trailing by a set and a break and facing three match points at 4-5 0/40, Martinez mounted a stunning comeback. Making just his second Grand Slam qualifying appearance and first in New York, he would reel off eight of the next 12 games to set a final-round date with fellow #NextGenATP Hubert Hurkacz. The Spaniard collapsed to the court as he celebrated with friends and family.

"The truth is that I was very nervous and when I was down 0/40, I was a long way from winning," Martinez told ATPWorldTour.com following the match. "I had a foot fault on that first match point, but I played an incredible point on my second serve. It was one of the best of the match. Then, the match changed a lot. I escaped. And the support of the fans was amazing. It was a pleasure to play in front of them. It's the best tournament of my life."

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It was an impressive performance for Martinez, who is competing in just his second hard-court tournament since February. At No. 182 in the ATP Rankings, he recently lifted his maiden ATP Challenger Tour trophy in Bastad, Sweden, last month.

Martinez's victory wasn't the only match point-saving win of Day 3. American Mitchell Krueger also denied three, surviving with his back against the wall against countryman Thai-Son Kwiatkowski. The Texas native advanced 3-6, 7-6(7), 7-5 in two hours and 36 minutes. Victory in Friday's final round against Calvin Hemery would see him reach the main draw of a Grand Slam for the first time.

Krueger

Krueger is joined by JC Aragone, Collin Altamirano and Donald Young as the lone Americans to feature on Day 4. While Aragone is bidding to complete back-to-back qualifying runs at Flushing Meadows, Altamirano is hoping to appear in the main draw for the first time since 2013, when he earned a wild card as a junior. The 22-year-old scored the biggest win of his young career in upsetting Ivo Karlovic 7-5, 6-4 on Court 13.

"I was cracking up because earlier in the week I was practising with Reilly Opelka and then the draw came out," said Altamirano. "My coach wanted me to see the bigger serves, so I guess that paid off. Ivo's made a living off that shot, but I guess I did the right things out there. Things fell my way. Just one shot here and there made the difference."

Qualifying Reports: Day 1 | Day 2

Meanwhile, the #NextGenATP contingent will be well represented with main draw berths at stake on Friday. Not only are Hubert Hurkacz and Casper Ruud - No. 9 and No. 10 in the ATP Race To Milan - in action, but Martinez, Felix Auger-Aliassime, Ugo Humbert, Marc Polmans and Lloyd Harris are all bidding to make their Grand Slam debuts. Humbert and Polmans will square off in a blockbuster match-up.

Auger-Aliassime

South Africa's Harris has arguably been the most dominant player in qualifying, routing Sebastian Ofner 6-2, 6-1 after dismissing Roberto Quiroz in straight sets. The 21-year-old is on a tear after winning his first Challenger title in Lexington and finishing runner-up the following week in Aptos. He is 15-3 since mid-July.

"I came out of the blocks pretty fast and got on the front foot from there," said Harris. "I was trying to get him out of position and strike on the first ball. I thought I was solid throughout the match. I didn't allow him to do too much and I was just pumped and excited for the match. I've alwayed liked to play here since juniors. It's the people, the fans and I'm happy to have friends around too."

Finally, a pair of veterans will duel when Tommy Robredo and Nicolas Mahut meet. In five previous FedEx ATP Head2Head encounters, Robredo leads 3-2, with their most recent meeting coming in Winston-Salem in 2014. The 36-year-olds have competed in the US Open main draw a combined 26 times.

Nadal starts against Ferrer, Dimitrov-Wawrinka leads first-round blockbusters
Perhaps the biggest question of the 2018 US Open draw was a simple one: Where would sixth seed Novak Djokovic, fresh off achieving the Career Golden Masters, land? Now we know.

The Western & Southern Open champion is in Roger Federer's quarter and could again face the five-time US Open champion, his opponent from the Cincinnati final, in the last eight.

Djokovic and Federer have not met before the semi-finals of any tournament since 2007 Dubai, with the exception being round-robin play at the Nitto ATP Finals. The pair have contested 42 FedEx ATP Head2Head matches since then, including 18 for championships. In the Western & Southern Open final, when Djokovic became the first player to win all nine ATP World Tour Masters 1000 titles, the Serbian took a 24-22 lead in their epic rivalry.


But first, the superstars will be focused on what’s directly in front of them: two first-time opponents. Federer will face Japanese Yoshihito Nishioka in the first round, and Djokovic will play Hungarian Marton Fucsovics. Federer could face No. 30 seed Nick Kyrgios in a third-round blockbuster.

Top seed and defending champion Rafael Nadal will begin his title defence against a familiar foe in former World No. 3 David Ferrer. The World No. 1 leads his fellow Spaniard 24-6 in their FedEx ATP Head2Head rivalry. But in their only previous meeting at the US Open, in 2007, Ferrer triumphed in four sets. Fifth seed and 2017 finalist Kevin Anderson and ninth seed Dominic Thiem are also in Nadal’s quarter.

A lot of eyes will be on the Spaniard’s opener, but there might be even more on a clash between reigning Nitto ATP Finals champion Grigor Dimitrov and 2016 US Open winner Stan Wawrinka. Not only have both players been inside the Top 5 of the ATP Rankings within the past year, but they also met in their Wimbledon opener, with Wawrinka — on the comeback from two left knee surgeries last year — pulling the upset. The winner will face a qualifier in the second round.

The Bulgarian and Swiss are in third seed Juan Martin del Potro’s quarter. The 2009 winner, who is at a career-best World No. 3, will begin his tournament against a qualifier, but could face former World No. 1 and 2012 titlist Andy Murray in the third round. The Scot will play Aussie James Duckworth in his opener.

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The earliest third seed Alexander Zverev could face another seed will be in the third round against 32nd seed Filip Krajinovic. The 21-year-old Zverev will face a qualifier before playing against Czech Jiri Vesely or #NextGenATP Frenchman Corentin Moutet.

Zverev’s quarter-final opponent is projected to be 2014 US Open champion Marin Cilic, who confronts Romanian Marius Copil before facing Uruguayan Pablo Cuevas or a qualifier. Cilic could face No. 29 seed Adrian Mannarino, or #NextGenATP players Frances Tiafoe or Alex de Minaur in the third round.

Of the #NextGenATP, the only two seeded players from that 21-and-under group — No. 15 seed Stefanos Tsitsipas and No. 28 seed Denis Shapovalov — both begin their campaigns against qualifiers.