Predictions from the newsdesk

Some of MurraysWorld's news team have offered their insight as to how the US Open will transpire.

Ally

A new Andy Murray will enter the fray at Flushing Meadows this year. Since his dismal French Open display, he has picked up a new aggressive gameplan. Murray has reached the quarter-finals at the Cincinnati 1000 and won the Toronto 1000 since leaving coach Miles Maclagan. Particularly against Nadal in Toronto, Murray was spotting all the angles, coming in and seizing control of rallies at the first opportunity. He once more emerged as one of the tour’s best players on US hard courts.

Therefore, he has a huge chance at the US Open. If Murray can turn over tricky potential opponents such as Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka, clay-court favouring Spaniard Nicolas Almagro, and in-form Czech Tomas Berdych, the meat of the tournament then starts. It’s Nadal in the semis, then Federer in the final.

Murray can unsettle Federer by gaining initiative early in rallies and keeping his service holds short. If he stands tall and fights as opposed to waiting to trip Federer up, Murray can win this. However, world number three Federer has to be favourite to win the tournament. He has a faultless psyche and simply does not choke. His experience of winning 5 times in New York is better than any kind of form or clever game.

Favourites: Federer, Nadal, Murray

Outsiders: Novak Djokovic, Nikolay Davydenko,

Dark Horses: Robin Soderling, Tomas Berdych, Mardy Fish, Andy Roddick

Looking for an upset: Sergiy Stakhovsky, Ernests Gulbis, John Isner, Sam Querrey

James

Despite the wave of optimism that we invariably witness in the days preceding a hardcourt major, the eternal pessimist in me will believe Andy Murray can win the US Open the moment he holds the trophy aloft, and not a moment sooner. That is not to say that there is no cause for optimism. Murray's recent return to form, coupled with a more aggressive approach, means that he is likely good value for his standing amongst the favourites heading into the last major of the year.

The two major stumbling blocks for the Scot come in the form of Querrey and Berdych, both of whom hold recent victories over the world number 4. Should Murray clear those hurdles, I expect another Federer-Murray showdown in the final. Unfortunately, I expect the Swiss to come out on top again, albeit in a much tighter affair.

My pick: Federer

Upset of the tournament: Nadal to lose before the semi-finals.

Darkhorse of the tournament: Mardy Fish.