The 2010 US Open: Top Contenders for the Men's Championship

The 2010 US Open will showcase the top tennis players from around the world when they descend upon the city of New York at the end of August. Who will come out of the field of 128 to take home a Grand Slam victory and have their name etched in the tennis record books?

2010 US Open Contender - Roger Federer

Last year Federer was the runner-up for the US Open championship, something that he would like to change in 2010. Prior to 2009, Federer had won five straight US Open championships and was well on his way to being ranked as one of the greatest tennis players of his generation. Federer has experienced less success in 2010 after suffering quarterfinals losses at Wimbledon and the French Open.

Roger Federer did earn a title at the Australian Open when he knocked off Andy Murray in the finals. Will he be able to add to the 16 Grand Slam titles he has won in his career or will we see Roger Federer knocked off again just short of his goal? He is the odds on favorite to win the US Open, there are several others who have different plans.

2010 US Open Contender - Juan Martin Del Potro

The 2009 winner would like to repeat as US Open champion but has been dealing with a wrist injury for the majority of the current season. The only tournament Del Potro has appeared in this year was the Australian Open where he lost in the fourth round to Marin Cilic.

Even though tennis enthusiasts cannot look past his lack of match practice in 2010, Del Potro has shown his ability to use his monster forehand to break down the game of his opponents. While some may dismiss Del Potro's chances for the US Open, keep an eye on him when he makes a deep run through the rounds.

2010 US Open Contender - Andy Murray

In 2008, Murray was within reach of a US Open championship until Roger Federer knocked him out in the Finals. After two failed attempts to earn a Grand Slam victory in 2010, Murray remains focused as he prepares for the US Open.

Though Murray has been less than stellar since being a runner-up in the Australian Open, there is no reason to expect an early exit from him the US Open this year. In fact, a rematch with Roger Federer would be welcomed by tennis fans.

2010 US Open Contender - Rafael Nadal

The top ranked player in the world will be eager to forget his exit from the 2009 US Open when he lost to the eventual champion in the Semifinal round. This time around, the biggest thing standing in Nadal's way for the elusive US Open title could be his right knee.

Since earning a title at Wimbledon over Tomas Berdych, Nadal has been recovering from an injury to his right knee. Nadal will be testing out the strength of his knee at the Toronto Masters. Will Nadal be able to add to his eight Grand Slam titles by the time the US Open comes to a close? Or will he end up just short again?

2010 US Open Contender - Tomas Berdych

If you are looking for a dark horse candidate for the 2010 US Open, Berdych fits the bill. He has been having a memorable season and has earned a career high ranking, seventh in the world. So far in 2010, Berdych has made a run in two of the three Grand Slam events.

In the French Open, Berdych lost in the Semifinals to Robin Soderling then he made it to the Finals in Wimbledon until Rafael Nadal knocked him out. Berdych has shown his ability to play to the weaknesses of his opponents and finally appears to actually be enjoying the game of tennis. Will Berdych have finally earned his first Grand Slam title when the 2010 US Open is in the record books?

Resources

2010 US Open