US Open 2015 Grades: How did the men perform?
Aug 31, 2015; New York, NY, USA; A general view of the roof over Arthur Ashe Stadium as Venus Williams of the United States hits to Monica Puig of Puerto Rico on day one of the 2015 US Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
US Open 2015 Grades: How did the men perform?
As we count down to the US Open final between Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer, there is no better time to reminisce over the last fortnight of action. Despite the top two seeds contesting the men’s final, it has been a far from predictable year in terms of early round results.
We are going to run through our grades for some of the more noteworthy names in the men’s draw, casting our eye over who performed at their average level as well as those who excelled and others who disappointed. See if you agree with our analysis below.
F
Kei Nishikori – Going from a finalist the previous year to a first round loser is a tough one to take. Nishikori has been battling with injury problems in 2015 and was upset in five sets by unseeded Frenchman Benoit Paire. It is a result that will have dented his confidence and ranking.
Gilles Simon – Having promised so much in the middle portion of the season, Simon has once again showed that he is not a Top 10 player. His opponent in the first round, Donald Young, was playing some of the best tennis of his career, but it is a match Simon should have used his experience to get through.
Rafael Nadal – Nadal may have won two matches in New York but in all his event would be regarded as a failure. He had only lost once at the US Open since 2011, but never really looked comfortable against Fabio Fognini. Previously he would find comfort it five set matches, but not now.
Grigor Dimitrov – The decline of Dimitrov has been remarkable and he is no longer a threat at the big events. His game seems to be lacking direction and that showed in his second round exit, albeit to an in form Mikhail Kukushkin who pushed Marin Cilic all the way in the next round.
Next: 'D' Grades