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[Sir Panda]

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.

Read more (194 words)

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.

[top_spin]

James you complete pri*k!!!

[Philip]

The eternal optimist in me hopes that with Mum's astute advice and Andy new found coachless freedom to express his agression on the court, the USO is there for him to win.  Go Andy and grab victory against your talented opponents.  Make your mark and let the world know who is the new king of the Hard Court !  Usher in a new era and break the Federer/Nadal stranglehold.
I wish you good Fortune, Courage and Success  

[allyh84]

I think it's spelled "frey" and it needs to be "his" game plan. 

[murray mad]

I think Mardy Haddock will cause an upset this year...

Can't say Andy will cause an upset due to the fact he is expected to beat the best players but if he loses then I see it as unfortunate or he is tired .

Federer will be tough for anyone on any surface but I think QF will be his highest this year at the U.S OPEN,

as for Djokovic his prime is well gone as well as Bagdahtis in my eyes out in 3rd round 4 both.

I am no psychic but I am guessing Nadal will get the news that he has wedgie syndrome a condition only Nadal has been diagnosed with and forced to pull out.

Final... Murray vs.... (cant be bothered to look at draw)

[balamb]

hi  you can do this  lets wi n    g ood luck  bye  :

[Philip]

I agree Araminta.  If Andy can maintain the Toronto form where he gave in form (11 match winning streak) Nalbandian a spanking (6-2, 6-2) and beat both Fed and Nadal in straight sets then he has a really decent chance.

Let's see which Andy turns up at the USO.  Fed I think is dangerous but fortunately his back and legs are not as resistant as yester years  .

[Aileen]

I'm sure his mum will be there - can you imagine her missing it?  I gather she's been scouting for him at his opponents' matches.  I wonder if Kim will be there too?
I'm not going to make predictions at this stage but I've made my wish up a Swiss mountain and it's not for the Swiss cheese! (even saw someone wearing his RF cap in Geneva airport - urgh)
 

Just read the sports section of The Scotsman after I posted that, and it confirms Mum will be there, for which I'm truly thankful.  I'd a feeling she would be, but I know she's got a lot of commitments in the UK, although her sons will always come first.  Just hope Mum and Corretja see eye to eye, although I think Corretja could be a bit redundant now, unless he works on Andy's serve - and please God leave the rest of his game alone!

I gather from a cousin who is a regular visitor to the German part of Switzerland, his academic interest being Swiss-German literature, that RF tattoos are much in fashion with both men and women ...