3 minute read
How the leading men's US Open contenders and best Australian hope shape up ahead of the New York grand slam.
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.
