3 minute read
Penpix of leading men's US Open contenders for the season's final tennis major starting on Tuesday AEST.
HOW THE LEADING MEN'S CONTENDERS SHAPE UP FOR THE US OPEN STARTING ON TUESDAY (AEST):
NOVAK DJOKOVIC (SRB)
Age: 34
Ranking: 1
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US151,870,635
Career titles: 85
Grand slam titles: 20 (Australian Open 2008, 2011-2013, 2015-16, 2019-21; French Open 2016, 2021; Wimbledon 2011, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2021; US Open 2011, 2015, 2018)
US Open win-loss record: 75-12
Best US Open results: champion 2011, 2015, 2018
The world No.1 is looking to surpass Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal with an unprecedented 21st men's major and to join Rod Laver as only the second man in professional tennis history to complete a calendar-year grand slam. Looked invincible before losing successive matches at the Olympics to Alexander Zverev and Pablo Carreno Busta.
DANIIL MEDVEDEV (RUS)
Age: 25
Ranking: 2
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US17,206,415
Career titles: 12
Grand slam titles: 0
US Open win-loss record: 13-4
Best US Open result: finalist 2019
Unlike Djokovic, who bypassed the lead-up events citing fatigue, the Russian ironman warmed up beautifully for the season's final major, taking the title in Toronto and reaching the semis in Cincinnati. Seeded to make a third grand slam final.
STEFANOS TSITSIPAS (GRE)
Age: 23
Ranking: 3
Plays: right-handed
Career prize money: $US15,480,647
Career titles: 7
Grand slam titles: 0
US Open win-loss record: 3-3
Best US Open result: third round 2020
The Greek trailblazer believes he should already be a grand slam champion after blowing a two-set lead over Djokovic in the French Open final. Boasts a tour-high 48 wins in 2021 and will be intent on making his mark in New York for the first time.
ALEXANDER ZVEREV (GER)
Age: 24
Ranking: 4
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US25,826,585
Career titles: 17
Grand slam titles: 0
US Open win-loss record: 13-6
Best US Open result: finalist 2020
The German wunderkind let last year's title slip from his grasp when relinquishing a two-set advantage against Dominic Thiem but couldn't ask for hotter form entering the 2021 edition, having beaten Djokovic in Tokyo en route to gold then capturing his fourth title of the year in Cincinnati.
ANDREY RUBLEV (RUS)
Age: 23
Ranking: 7
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US9,015,655
Career titles: 7
Grand slam titles: 0
US Open win-loss record: 11-5
Best US Open results: quarter-finalist 2017, 2020
The Russian has emerged as a perennial second-week grand slam challenger in recent years, is the fifth highest-ranked player in the draw in the absence of Nadal and Thiem and fresh off a breakthrough first-ever win over Medvedev in Cincy.
MATTEO BERRETTINI (ITA)
Age: 25
Ranking: 8
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US7,674,027
Career titles: 5
Grand slam titles: 0
US Open win-loss record: 8-3
Best US Open result: semi-finalist 2019
Confirmed his grand slam bona fides with a charge to the Wimbledon final, falling to Djokovic after taking the opening set. The big-serving Italian also enjoys the speedy Flushing Meadows surface, as evident by his run to the semi-finals two years ago.
BEST OUTSIDER
PABLO CARRENO BUSTA (ESP)
Ranking: 12
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US11,927,356
Career titles: 6
Grand slam titles: 0
US Open win-loss record: 18-7
Best US Open results: semi-finalist 2017, 2020
Djokovic's nemesis, having denied the Serb Toyko bronze and been the beneficiary when the world No.1 struck a lineswoman in the throat with a ball last year, is a two-times US Open semi-finalist and back on the cusp of the world's top 10.
BEST AUSSIE HOPE
ALEX DE MINAUR
Age: 22
Ranking: 17
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US8,727,182
Career titles: 5
Grand slam titles: 0
US Open win-loss record: 9-4
Best US Open result: quarter-finalist 2020
Cracked the world's top 15 for the first time after claiming his maiden grasscourt title in June but his best results have come on slick hard surfaces, including a first-time grand-slam run to the quarter-finals in New York last year. Continues to set new benchmarks.
