US Open 2012: Players to watch out for : Jo-Wilfried Tsonga

US Open 2012: Players to watch out for…

The Olympic Games are over and now the US Open will begin on 27 August at Flushing Meadows. Five-time US Open Champion Roger Federer, would like to extend his Grand Slam titles to 18 after defeating Andy Murray in the Wimbledon final earlier this year.

In the women’s category, Serena Williams has looked invincible since Wimbledon 2012 and has become too hot to handle for her opponents. Here is a list of players who are capable to creating a major upset at the tournament:

by Suyash Srivastava

Roger Federer

The legend silenced his critics by winning his 17th Grand Slam at the Wimbledon this year. He played the kind of tennis he is known for right through the tournament and proved how he has a lot left in terms of contributing to the game.

But it was once again heartbreak for the Swiss in the Olympic where he was defeated by Andy Murray in the final. The World No. 1 who is also the top seeded player in the men’s category would leave no stone unturned for his 18th Grand Slam title.

Record: Won US Open in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008

Andy Murray

The Britain No. 1 has gone through lots of ups and downs this year. After receiving defeat at the hands of Roger Federer in front of the home crowd at Wimbledon final, the 25-year-old said that he was ‘getting closer to a Grand Slam victory.’
Murray made Britain proud when he won an Olympic gold defeating Federer. Murray has improved his game with every tournament. With Nadal once again pulling out due to knee injury, the tournament could be the best time for him to win his first Grand Slam.

Record: Never won a US Open

Novak Djokovic

He might not be in the best of form recently, but one cannot rule out the fact that he is altogether a different player when it comes to Grand Slam.

The Serb who was defeated by Rafael Nadal in French Open this year hasn’t shown the best of form since then. The defending champion would like to do an encore but it isn’t going to be easy for him this year as Federer and Murray have been in great nick of late.

Record: Won US Open in 2012

Serena Williams

The American who was struggling ahead of the Wimbledon was back in form as she defeated Agnieszka Radwanska in the final. She then went on to bag gold in Olympics defeating Maria Sharapova of Russia in the final.

Serena has three US Open Titles to her name (1999, 2002, 2008) and she will be looking forward to move a step closer to breaking Steffi Graff’s record of 22 Grand Slam titles.

Record: Won US Open in 1999, 2002, 2008

Maria Sharapova

The Russian completed her career slam when she won the French Open this year. But since then, she has been outclassed by Serena Williams on a number of occasions.

The 25-year-old won the US Open way back in 2006 but she hasn’t managed to come up with a similar performance since then.

Record: Won US Open in 2006

Victoria Azarenka

She became the second player after Rafael Nadal to pull out of a tournament due to knee-injury.

The Belarusian reached the semifinals of Wimbledon, before going on to compete at the London 2012 Olympics where she won bronze in the singles and gold in the mixed doubles on Sunday.

She won the US Open in 2007 and in case if she’s fit, she would be one of the top players to look out for.

Record: Won US Open in 2007.

David Ferrer

Seeded fourth for the US Open, Ferrer’s best US Open appearance came in 2007 when he reached the semi-finals. Regarded as one of the best returner in men’s tennis, Ferrer has won two titles this year and reached the semi-finals of the Australian open.

Record: Semifinal (2007)

Petra Kvitová

Kvitova had an excellent run last year that saw her rise to career best sixth in the WTA rankings but the best came moment came when she won her maiden Grand Slam Title clinching Wimbledon by defeating Maria Sharapova in the finals.

Kvitová was seeded fourth at the 2012 French Open. She advanced to the semifinals for the first time in her career, after defeating Ashleigh Barty, Urszula Radwanska, Nina Bratchikova, Varvara Lepchenko, and Yaroslava Shvedova. There she lost to Maria Sharapova, the eventual champion.

She is currently ranked 5th.

Record: 4th Round (2009)

Agnieszka Radwanska

2012 had beena good year for the Pol as she climbed two World No.2 spot when she entered her first Grand Slam final at the 2012 Wimbledon Championships. She lost to Serena Williams but became the first Polish player in the Open Era to reach the championship round of a Grand Slam singles tournament.

During the start of 2012, she had a win-loss record of 28–5 in the first 4 months as she won two singles titles.

She is seeded second for the US Open 2012.

Record: 4R (2007, 2008)

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga is seeded 5th for the US Open 2012.

The Frenchman has a win-loss record of 41-16 in 2012 an he won one singles title this year.

Record: US Open QF (2011)

by Suyash Srivastava & Vineet Ramakrishnan