In just under a week New York City will host the US Open, the fourth and final Grand Slam tennis tournament of the year.
Switzerland’s Stan Wawrinka, who won the men’s event last year, won’t be present in the USA to defend his crown after a recent knee injury brought his season to an early end.
Angelique Kerber was in scintillating form 12 months ago, claiming her second major of the year with victory against Karolina Pliskova in the Big Apple whilst also moving to the top of the world rankings.
With a whole host of established figures, across both the men’s and the women’s game, missing for this year’s event could there be a shock winner?
Contenders for the men’s prize
Here are five candidates with a credible stake to claim the men’s prize:
Alexander Zverev
Ranked number six in the world at the age of 20, it is clear to see why Alexander Zverev is making waves in the sport.
The German has shown incredible development since turning professional in 2014 and recently masterminded impressive victories against Novak Djokovic and childhood idol Roger Federer.
With substantial experience of playing in Grand Slam tournaments already under his belt and former US Open champion, Juan Carlos Ferrero, now part of his coaching team the Hamburg-born player will be in confident spirits.
Roger Federer
Federer might not have enjoyed recent success at the US Open, his last triumph coming nine years ago, but his ability to roll back the years in 2017 by winning two majors has been sensational.
The 36-year-old looks reinvigorated after a six-month injury layoff last year, winning 35 out of 38 matches whilst claiming the Australian Open and Wimbledon along the way.
Federer last held three of the four majors ten years ago but if he replicates the form shown at the All England Club, not dropping a single set all tournament, the 19-time Grand Slam champion has a great chance of repeating history.
Andy Murray
Sir Andy Murray has endured a lacklustre season so far, his best performance at a Grand Slam coming at the French Open, eventually being knocked out in the semi-finals by Wawrinka.
There were suggestions that the 30-year-old might miss the US Open but he has since confirmed that won’t be the case after recovering from a hip injury.
Despite a lack of match fitness and some indifferent form, the Glasgow-born player has previous success on this stage as well as the tools and the knowledge needed to beat the other top players at the event.
Rafael Nadal
After the past two seasons without a Grand Slam title, Rafael Nadal demonstrated great resilience by overcoming an injury-ravaged couple of years to win the French Open.
The 31-year-old also narrowly missed out in the Australian Open, succumbing to Federer, his old nemesis, during a scintillating five-set battle.
Despite crashing out in the fourth round at Wimbledon last month, the new world number one showed athleticism and ability reminiscent of his earlier years. There couldn’t be a clearer indication of this man’s potential to still handle the pace of the game.
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Grigor Dimitrov
Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov has often been mentioned as one of the players to form part of the new generation of talent in men’s tennis but has yet to break the established order by winning a Grand Slam.
His ability to perform all across the court, a powerful serve – reaching up to 137mph and a style of play which is extremely flexible are just some of the attributes which have caused many to draw comparisons with Federer.
The Swiss rival might have the experience of winning a record 19 Grand-Slam titles but Dimitrov has been in the best form of his career during 2017, claiming three ATP World Tour crowns – he beat Nick Kyrgios last week to secure his first Masters 1000 crown at the Cincinnati Open.
Who can make their presence felt in the women’s event?
In the women’s game there have been a number of candidates vying for the top prizes, since a pregnant Serena Williams announced she would be taking a break from the sport.
Here are five that have what it takes to emerge victorious stateside:
Garbine Murguruza
Just like Zverev is threatening the dominance of long-time greats Federer and Nadal, Spain’s Garbine Murguruza is posing a similar challenge to the original top players in the women’s game.
Over the last 12 months the 23-year-old has secured her first two Grand Slam titles, outmanoeuvring Serena Williams at Roland Garros in 2016 before overpowering her older sister, Venus, at Wimbledon last month.
A huge serve, great agility and the flexibility in her game translates to a formidable opponent, who has a very real chance of becoming the new world force in women’s tennis.
Johanna Konta
Great Britain’s Johanna Konta has enjoyed a rapid rise through the rankings, from lingering outside the top 100 to joining the top five best players in the world – the last British woman to feature so highly was Jo Durie in 1984.
The way she showed superior mental strength during Wimbledon last month has brought her game on even more and has provided good reason for many to tip her to win a maiden Grand Slam in the near future.
The hard courts of the Billie Jean Kind National Tennis Centre, the venue of the US Open, are also Konta’s favourite surface which might just give her an edge over the competition.
Simona Halep
Always just coming up short as far as winning Grand Slams are concerned, Simona Halep knows clinching the top prize at the US Open would provide a great boost in her quest for multiple honours.
The Romanian, who turned professional back in 2006, also has the chance to set down another significant marker with the opportunity to become world number one well within her reach.
A second career appearance in a major final, at this year’s Roland Garros, will also serve as further motivation for the 25-year-old to bridge the gap and win her first Grand Slam.
Jelena Ostapenko
Thinking about recent major upsets on the tennis court, Jelena Ostapenko’s victory at the French Open is certainly up there – the Latvian became the first unseeded woman in over 80 years to win the French Open.
The way she dispatched seasoned veterans like Caroline Wozniacki and Sam Stosur along the way was nothing short of remarkable and rightly saw her move into the top 20.
A valiant effort on the grass courts at Wimbledon last month certainly reaffirmed a real potential in the Riga-born player’s capability to reach the very top and a similar journey or better in New York is definitely achievable.
Venus Williams
Two decades since first picking up a racket Williams has gone on to become a prominent figure, usually contesting for major honours or at worst finishing as a runner-up.
Over the last few years, that ability to remain at the pinnacle of the sport has declined somewhat but 2017 has seen Williams completely rubbish the idea she is in the twilight stage of her career – the seven-time Grand Slam champion has reached two major finals this season.
Added to this her constant battle with an autoimmune disease called Sjogren’s Syndrome whose symptoms include joint pain and fatigue, it would be foolish to discount a player, who has always shown incredible resilience and determination.
