Major league

Manju Subhash Chandran

Change is the eternal law of universe. Never has it been more pronounced than in the fortunes of the world’s two best tennis players of the decade.
Flashback year 2008, January and another tennis milestone was in the making. 2008 would be the year when Roger Federer, a 12-time Grand Slam winner then, would not only equal Pete Sampras’s record of 14 but also go one better.
But seldom does sport play by the rules of anticipation. The world had forgotten that another man from Spain, who went by the name of Rafael Nadal had much more defying designs on the world tennis chart. And belying all expectations, year 2008 saw Nadal ascend to the apogee of tennis excellence, and depose Federer off the throne that had been his demesne for 237 weeks.
Nadal's aggrandising prowess and the evident waning of Federer’s class was a pointer that a change of guard was imminent.
Nadal came into the 2008 US Open on a high note. Never a doubt was expressed on his ability to defend the French Open title. But his conquest at Wimbledon beating the Swiss glider on the greens, and then adding the Olympic gold in Beijing secured his status as a champion, who could wallow on grass and hard courts as well.
On the other hand, Federer began his title defence on a wavering note. His self-assured finesse was no longer daunting. The “aura of invincibility” had been breached. Even the not so fancied had become intrepid. At these times of low morale, Federer won the US Open 2008, his 13th Grand Slam, a reminder to his critics, that he still had the Slam lust in him.
Year 2009, the US Open and once again the outcome could heave the balance of power.
The year began on an ominous note for Federer. Having lost the Australian Open final to Nadal, and Andy Murray snapping at his heels, the chafing tongues were quick to flap. Was the Federer era over?
But the dynamics changed again. Not only did he reclaim his lost "one", but also he did it in style, winning the one trophy that had tantalisingly evaded his grasp for the last three years. The French Open was a retributive tribute to the champion.
He also reclaimed his Wimbledon crown and surpassed Pete Sampras’ record of 14 Grand Slams.

Sweet 16 for Federer?
If winning 15 Grand slams could make you a tad complacent, it could also put right all that had gone wrong. The World No 1 is a much-relieved man bereft of all scrutinizing pressures. The signs of resignation have given way to those of unassuming superiority.
A win would mean a 16th Grand Slam and a sixth consecutive US Open title. If a month ago, his poor record of 2-6 against Murray then, may have rankled him, now after beating the Brit in Cincinnati he has allayed those seeds of queasiness. Last week Federer won the Cincinnati Masters beating Novak Djokovic another player to whom he had lost their last two meetings.
Federer emerges favourite nonpareil. One of the best volleyers around, the fast DecoTurf surface at the US Open conducive to serve-and-volley play should favour him as seen in the last five years.

If the 2008 US Open was all about Federer salvaging his “substandard” year, then 2009 could have the same purport for Nadal.
An injury-stricken Nadal gave Wimbledon a miss and had a 10-week lay off. While last year, Nadal came in to the US Open as the top seed, this year he will begin his campaign as the World No 3.
Nadal’s quarterfinal and semifinal showing at Montreal and Cincinnati Masters respectively has been encouraging, though not without streaks of vulnerability.
If Nadal were to win the US Open, he would complete his career slam and establish himself creditably as a player to be feared on all courts. Same year two people completing a career slam would be eventful!
Last year Nadal reached the semifinal and a final call could be in the cards unless he meets an unusually inspired Juan Martin del Potro or Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who have the necessary weapons to naught him.
World No 2 Murray has inched his way – first replacing Djokovic as the World No 3 – where no other has ventured in the last four years. The last time a player was ranked No 2 was Lleyton Hewitt in 2005.
For Murray, a win would mean he would get his first Grand Slam. Last year Murray was the finalist and he could go one better this year, as endorsed by his incontrovertible record on the North American hard courts. He has won titles at Miami and Montreal.

Djokovic may have been relegated to World No 4 after two years, but his capability to challenge the best cannot be discounted as he can beat both Nadal and Federer.
Of the last 18 slams, 17 were exchanged between Nadal and Federer. Australian Open 2008 saw Djokovic breaking the dichotomous monotony of the two taking it all.
Djokovic was the runner-up at the US Open in 2007 and a semifinalist in 2008.
The US Open will not only be about the Big three or the Fab four, but as much about Potro, Tsonga, Roddick, who have sneaked in many a hair-raising, heart-thumping moments this year.
The gap between those huddled at the top and the rest has narrowed and rather than the technique and skill, reaching a Grand Slam final after two weeks of rigorous strenuous tennis has become more a test of fortitude and stamina.
Andy Roddick though no neophyte to the slam summit, had a revealing, reinventing year and proved he still has the pluck to go all the way.
Others, who could upset the apple cart, and elicit a few disappointed groans, are Gilles Simon, Fernando Verdasco, Nikolay Davydenko, Gael Monfils and Robin Soderling.
The grind of the summer Slam, but the most easygoing in terms of atmosphere could outline a clear-cut ATP map.

Time to take charge

When Justin Henin retired in May 2008, little did she realize, that it would spark a salvo of successors none to stay put for long. More than a year after having passing hands between Maria Sharapova, Ana Ivanovic, Serena Williams, Jelena Jankovic and finally Dinara Safina, the World No 1 baton stands unsteady at the top. A new winner at the US Open could ripple the waters further.
Again all eyes would be on the Williams - especially the younger version - who playing in their home country will have that extra intent. If Serena were to win it would be her fourth US Open title and third Grand Slam of the year. At the same time, her win would also assuage concerns of lack of dominance in the WTA circuit.
By current form, Jankovic, who won in Cincinnati and Elena Dementieva, who lifted the Rogers Cup are clear contenders. But the duo has been found wanting at crucial junctures in big events.
To go strictly by rankings and consistent display, Safina should have lifted a couple of Grand Slams by now. If the World No 1 could muster enough reserves of resolve to fight her 11the hour disintegration a slam title would be a redeeming reality.
Besides the Williams, Russians Svetlana Kuznetsova and Sharapova, Belgian Kim Clijsters and Serbian Ana Ivanovic are the other Grand Slam winners.
Kuznetsova has won the US Open in 2004, and was runner-up in 2007. This year she was the French Open champion. Kuznetsova could be a potent challenger on a bright sunny day.
Sharapova’s full-fledged return to the tour has shaped up well. Though her double faults that often lurk into two digits is a cause of concern, her results have improved with every tournament.
Another player who has made an impactful comeback is Kim Clijsters. She beat some top 20 players - Kuznetsova, Marion Bartoli, Victoria Azarenka - in Cincinnati and Toronto.
Those who could inflict an upset or two are Vera Zvonareva, Caroline Wozniacki, Bartoli and Azarenka.



India factor
Sania Mirza, who will be the only competition in the singles, will lead the Indian brigade at the US Open. Ranked World No 71, Sania’s game is suited to the hard courts and her best results have always come from this part of the season. Once ranked a career best 27, Sania’s line of thought will be to gain some important ranking points and launch herself into the top 50.
Sania’s best showing in 2009 was in the Pattaya Open, where she was runner-up to Zvonareva. She also won an ATP Challenger event in July, only her second career title.
However, it wouldn’t be audacious to expect a Slam title in the doubles. Leander Paes along with his Czech partner Lukas Dlouhy were runner-ups to the Bryans in the US Open last year. But, Paes won the mixed doubles title with his Zimbabwean partner Cara Black. Together Paes has garnered five major titles in men’s doubles and another four in mixed doubles. In 2009, he won the French Open doubles and was the runner-up in the mixed doubles at Wimbledon.
Mahesh Bhupathi and his Bahamian mate Mark Knowles had a good run in the hard court season having won the doubles at Montreal Masters.
Bhupathi reached the 2009 Australian Open final but lost to the Bryan brothers. Bhupathi has won the US Open doubles title in 2002 and in mixed doubles he showed his worth twice. However, the highlight of this year’s showing would be the Australian Open mixed doubles that he won pairing up with compatriot Sania Mirza.
In men’s singles, India’s No1 Somdev Devvarman affinity to the hard courts could get him through the qualifiers. Another to labour through the qualifiers would be Prakash Amritraj.
Australian Open junior champion Yuki Bhambri will be an able contender in the boys’ draw. A US Open title would definitely enhance his career graph.