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2018 US Open tennis favorites, contenders – Metro US

2018 US Open tennis favorites, contenders

Federer, Wawrinka set for all-Swiss battle in US Open Semifinals
The 2018 US Open tennis tournament begins Monday in Queens with a full slate of action. Here’s a look at the favorites and contenders.
 

Men’s singles

Favorites

Rafael Nadal (No. 1 seed)
The defending US Open champ is ranked No. 1 in the world after compiling a 40-3 record in 2018 with five titles, including his 11th French Open crown and 17th Grand Slam title in June, and the recent hardcourt event in Toronto. Nadal is seeking his fourth US Open title after winning in 2010, ’13 and ’17.
 
“I think it’s not clear, one favorite, no?” Nadal said. “Even when somebody thinks that somebody is a clear favorite from inside, it doesn’t look like this.”
 
Roger Federer (No. 2 seed)
Federer’s path to a sixth US Open title, and his first since 2008, became complicated when he was drawn to meet Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinals. Djokovic beat Federer in straight sets in the Cincinnati final a week ago. Federer could potentially have to beat No. 6 seed Djokovic, No. 4 Alexander Zverev and No. 1 Nadal in order to hoist the trophy.
 
Novak Djokovic (No. 6 seed)
Djokovic enters as the favorite to win the Open, with Ladbrokes giving him odds of 3/1 compared to 7/2 for Nadal and 4/1 for Federer. The Serb has won 15 of his last 16 matches, including capturing the Wimbledon title and beating Federer to take the title in Cincinnati. He is seeking his third Open title after winning in 2011 and ’15.
 
Contenders:
 
Juan Martin del Potro (No. 3 seed)
The 2009 Open champ is 26-6 on hardcourts this year but could face 2012 champ Andy Murray in the third round.
 
Kevin Anderson (No. 5 seed)
Last year’s runner-up also used his massive serve to reach the Wimbledon final.
 
Marin Cilic (No. 7 seed)
The 2014 US Open champ has the weapons to beat anyone on hardcourts.
 
Stefanos Tsitsipas (No. 15 seed)
The 20-year old “Greek Freak” beat four Top 10 players en route to the Toronto final.
 

Women’s singles

Favorites:
 
Simona Halep (No. 1 seed)
The world No. 1 won her maiden Grand Slam at the French Open and followed that with a strong hardcourt season. She won the Rogers Cup in Montreal over Sloane Stephens, and then reached the Cincinnati final, losing to Kiki Bertens. Serena Williams looms as a possible fourth-round opponent.
 
“I still think Halep’s the one to beat,” Mary Jo Fernandez said on ESPN. “She’s the one who has won the most matches this season.”
 
Sloane Stephens (No. 3 seed)
The reigning US Open champ was also the runner-up in the French Open but lost in the opening round at Wimbledon for the second straight year.
 
Serena Williams (No. 17 seed)
It’s tough to call someone who hasn’t won a title in 2018 and is 3-4 this year on outdoor hardcourts a favorite, but this is Serena. In order to win her 24th Grand Slam title, she may have to beat sister Venus in the third round and No. 1 Halep in the fourth.
 
Contenders:
 
Angelique Kerber (No. 4 seed)
Over the last eight majors, Kerber is the only woman to have captured more than one. She won Wimbledon this summer, beating Serena in the final, and is the 2016 US Open champ.
 
Kiki Bertens (No. 13 seed)
She beat four Top 10 players en route to the title in Cincinnati, including the world No. 1 and 2 players in Halep and Caroline Wozniacki.
 
Madison Keys (No. 14 seed)
Last year’s runner-up has the big game to contend for the title. 
 
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