US Open draw: Three players Federer, Nadal, Djokovic won't want to play in the first round
THE US OPEN draw will be made on Thursday afternoon and Express Sport takes a look at three names the big boys won’t want to see in the first round of the men’s singles.
US Open: Djokovic attends practice ahead of tournament
Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer are the top three seeds in New York and will once again be the men to beat for the title.
But if they are not at their best, there are a host of names ready to pounce.
The likes of Daniil Medvedev, Felix Auger-Aliassime and the mercurial Nick Kyrgios are all dangermen and will be among the top 32 seeds.
But what about those players not seeded? Express Sport identifies three men capable of springing an upset.
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ANDREY RUBLEV
This is a man Roger Federer will definitely not want to see in his route to the final.
At the Cincinnati Masters last week, the two men met for the first time and the Russian bullied Federer and pulled him left and right across the court.
Afterwards, Federer admitted Rublev had been too good on the day and rued the chances he failed to take but when in form, the 21-year-old is capable of taking any match out of his opponent’s hands quite easily.
Rublev’s has had an up and down year but his emergence in Cincinnati will have made all of the top 32 seed sit up and take notice.
His talent has never been in doubt and now that he finally appears to be over his injury problems, there’s no better time than the US Open to finally make a mark.
World Ranking
31
Best result at US Open
2017 Quarter-Finals
US Open series results
Citi Open - First Round
Rogers Cup - Qualifiers
Cincinnati Masters - Quarter-Finals
Winston-Salem - Quarter-Final (Ongoing)
FRANCES TIAFOE
On the hard courts in Australia, Tiafoe had his best-ever finish at a Grand Slam after reaching the quarter-finals.
He then followed that up by making the last eight in Miami but the American’s form and confidence have dipped significantly since then.
Nevertheless, the bright lights and atmosphere in New York is as good a place as any to discover yourself.
And the 21-year-old is more than capable of bettering his second-round exit in 2018.
American tennis has been waiting a long time for a winner and while patience is still needed with Tiafoe, reaching the second week of Grand Slams must be his main target.
World Ranking
52
Best result at US Open
2018 Second Round
US Open series results
Atlanta Open - First Round
Citi Open - Second Round
Cincinnati Masters - Second Round
Winston-Salem - Quarter Final (Ongoing)
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JAN-LENNARD STRUFF
With five wins in his last ten match against players ranked in the top ten, Struff is a man for the big occasion.
And the possibility of a top seed in a night session match on Arthur Ashe stadium in front of a packed crowd is the ideal opportunity to demonstrate his qualities.
In 2018, Struff got to the third round, where he was beaten by David Goffin but the big-hitting German is more than capable of taking out names in the early rounds.
The 29-year-old just missed out on a seeding and after a breakthrough season is primed for his best result at a Grand Slam.
World Ranking
25
Best result at US Open
2018 US Open
US Open series results
Citi Open - First Round
Rogers Cup - Second Round
Cincinnati Masters - Third Round
