Lob and Smash
Fansided

US Open 2018: Men’s Draw Analysis

By Toby Oliver

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 29: (Editors Note: Digital filters were used)Roger Federer of Switzerland poses with the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup after winning the 2018 Australian Open Men's Singles Final, at Government House on January 29, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 29: (Editors Note: Digital filters were used)Roger Federer of Switzerland poses with the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup after winning the 2018 Australian Open Men's Singles Final, at Government House on January 29, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 2
Next
US Open
MASON, OH – AUGUST 17: Roger Federer of Switzerland celebrates returns a shot to Leonardo Mayer of Argentina during Day 7 of the Western and Southern Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 17, 2018 in Mason, Ohio. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

The draw for the US Open 2018 has now been finalised with 16 qualifiers and two lucky losers taking their place on the men’s side.

There are some terrific first round US Open match ups throughout the draw, some of which re-kindle old rivalries and others that provides young players with the opportunity to make a name for themselves.

US Open Favourites

2017 US Open champion Rafael Nadal has quite a straightforward section to navigate, however his first round match will see him face old friend and rival David Ferrer. The 36-year-old has had a really tough year, dropping to 148 in the world having lost his last four matches. This will be the 31st meeting between the two Spaniards with the last coming in 2015. Nadal leads the head-to-head 24-6 with Ferrer’s last victory coming in 2014. 

This should be an easy win for Nadal, with him most likely facing his 2017 final opponent Kevin Anderson in the quarter-final. Juan Martin Del Potro would be a likely semi-final opponent with Federer and Djokovic on the other side of the draw.

More from Lob and Smash

It’s been 10 years since Federer last won the US Open, which would make it all the more poetic if he should triumph this year. His first round opponent is the young Japanese player Yoshihito Nishioka who should be an easy win. However, he should meet maverick Australian Nick Kyrgios in the third round. This would be a fascinating encounter if Kyrgios is at his best. Federer leads the head-to-head 2-1, but they have never played at a grand slam before.

Should Federer beat Djokovic in the quarter-final, he would play either Cilic or Zverev in the semi-final to then face Nadal.

Djokovic has the easiest section of the three with a fourth round meeting with either Lucas Pouille or last year’s semi-finalist Pablo Carreño Busta being the most likely. The fourth favourite is 2009 champion Del Potro, who has a fairly tricky section to navigate. He could face Andy Murray in the third-round which would be an unbelievable battle. Despite Murray playing at a grand slam for the first time since Wimbledon 2017, two wins in the first and second rounds may get him used to the five set format again.

Trending. Top 10 Greatest: Men's Singles. light

Murray leads the head-to-head 7-3 with several epic battles such has the Davis Cup semi-final and the 2016 Olympic final having been played between them. This will be a key match for Del Potro to win if he has a chance of challenging for the title. However, the predicted fourth round will see him face dangerous young star Stefanos Tsitsipas. The 20-year-old has been taking out top ten players for fun in recent weeks, so is a real danger in the US Open this year.

Home/US Open