2007 U.S. Open Preview
By: Dan Arkans

It’s that time of year when the tennis world takes over New York City, rendering the Yankees second-class citizens in their own backyard.

The last grand slam of 2007 should be all about Roger Federer’s quest for another slam and a chance for the fourth woman to win a major this year. The following are the contenders to be hoisting some hardware:

ANDY RODDICK

It is an absolute brutal draw for the American, who was a finalist a year ago. He’ll have to get through Federer in the quarters to make it to another final, which isn’t likely to happen. Last year Roddick had a summer to remember, which boosted his confidence to an all-time high. This summer has been pretty shaky for Roddick with early-round exits in Cincinnati and Montreal. Yes, there was the Washington title but he didn’t beat a big name the whole week. The Jimmy Connors experiment is failing and time is running out on Roddick.

Result: Fourth-round defeat to Paul-Henry Mathieu.

JAMES BLAKE

This summer is Blake’s turn to have his confidence at a new-found high, his chances at the Open never better. A sensational week in Cincinnati displayed Blake’s raw power and his quickly-improving service return. He always plays his best tennis at the U.S. Open and a fairly favorable draw should allow Blake to have his best run yet.

Result: Semifinals.

RAFAEL NADAL

While many so-called experts have wanted to put Nadal in Federer’s class, he hasn’t done it yet on a hard court at a grand slam. This may be the Spaniard’s chance. Injuries continue to be a question with Nadal at this juncture in the season, but he displayed a willingness to adjust on hard courts in Montreal.

Result: Semifinals.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC

Djokovic has been the talk of tennis this summer after dispatching Nadal and Federer back-to-back in Montreal. His rise to the top of tennis has been swift and he’s ready to knock off Federer at a grand slam. The problem continues to be his fitness and a tougher draw than the world’s No. 1. Djokovic’s path gets tricky in the second round where the ever-improving Radek Stepanek is waiting and a possible fourth-round showdown with the rejuvenated Lleyton Hewitt.

Result: Finalist.

ROGER FEDERER

Federer’s dominance has never been questioned more and all he’s about to do is win his third major  the year. The loss to Djokovic was a wake-up call for Federer, who got better with each match in Cincinnati. A favorable draw shouldn’t hurt matters either. He’ll be rested for the finals and won’t mind getting revenge in the finals against the young Serb.

Result: Champion.

Don’t forget the ladies and I haven’t.

SERENA WILLIAMS

This was supposed to be Serena’s year after stepping up her game in Australia but she keeps on running into Justine Henin. Another quarterfinal match with the world’s No. 1 looms and Serena does not have the look of a possible champion, but as a player who just wants to show up to majors and win.

Result: Quarterfinals.

VENUS WILLIAMS

Venus also shocked the world at Wimbledon, but has played very little since then unless you count World Team Tennis. When she has competed the results have been shaky, as will this U.S. Open be for Venus, who will only win majors at Wimbledon for the rest of her career.

Result: Fourth-round loss.

ANA IVANOVIC

One of the up and coming Serbs, she may be ready to break through and win a major. Ivanovic has performed extremely consistent at the slams this year and hard courts are her best surface. She’ll have to get through Venus, countrywoman Jelena Jankovic and Henin just to reach the finals though.

Result: Semifinals.

JUSTINE HENIN

Henin displayed it all in dispatching Jankovic last week in the finals of the Rogers Cup. The grit and all-court nature of her game cannot be matched on tour, but on occasion she does have the ability to be overpowered on the slick surface at Flushing Meadows. I don’t think that will happen but knocking off Tatiana Golovin, Serena Williams and Ivanovic  may take some the fight out of her for the finals.

Result: Finalist.

MARIA SHARAPOVA

The defending champion couldn’t have asked for a better draw. Still, she enters the Open ailing and with some extremely questionable results in slams this year. Maybe she’ll go the way of the Williams sisters and focus away from the sport because that’s where she seems headed.

Results: Quarterfinals.

ANNA CHAKVETADZE

Remember her name, the world’s No. 6 ranked player will shock the world. Coming off a 12-match winning streak this summer, which included victories in Cincinnati and a Stanford Chakvetadze seems ready for a defining moment in her career. The Russian just has to get through some compatriots in Sharapova and Nadia Petrova to face Henin in the finals.

Result: Champion.

Dan Arkans is a writer for  Tennis Mates  and the sports editor of The Reporter in Lansdale, Pa. He was named the 2004 USTA Eastern Pennsylvania Tennis Writer of the Year. E-mail him at dan.arkans@tennismates.com.

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