The US Open is almost always the most dramatic tournament of the year and amazing things can happen under the floodlights at Flushing Meadows. Although both the men’s and women’s events at this year’s tournament look set to be played out amongst the usual suspects, there are a number of players who are seen as outsiders in the tennis betting who will really be looking to make their mark in New York.
10 Angelique Kerber – The German left-hander is one of the most powerful players in the game and her improved mobility has helped her develop her game on all surfaces. The 25-year-old made it to the last four at Flushing Meadows in 2011 but has struggled for form in recent months, only reaching the last 16 in Cincinnati. However, if she has her head in the right place, Kerber has proved she can beat anyone and with her knack of saving her best form for the big stage, she will be looking to make a big impact.
9 Grigor Dimitrov – The man known as ‘Baby Fed’ is currently at a crossroads in his career and, at 22-years-old, you feel he should be starting to make a challenge in the Grand Slams. The Bulgarian is one of the most elegant players in the game but is yet to make it past the fourth round in a major, a record that makes a mockery of his huge talent. Dimitrov has started to show signs that he may be about to fulfil his promise in 2013 following a win over world number one, Novak Djokovic, and will be aiming for at least the second week in New York and maybe more.
8 John Isner – Big serving Isner is currently the highest ranked American male and has again showed signs of settling in the top ten this year, recently impressing on his way to the final in Cincinnati. The 28-year-old’s best performances to date in a Grand Slam came in the US Open when he made it through to the quarter-finals in 2011. Isner has always been known for his power but he has undoubtedly improved other areas of his game over the last few years and despite looking set to meet Rafael Nadal in the fourth round, his current form means this could well be his best chance of going all the way in a major.
7 Sabine Lisicki – Lisicki recently battled her way to the Wimbledon final, only to freeze on the big stage against Marion Bartoli. However, throughout her career she has always learned from her experiences and with her run at SW19 including a victory over Serena Williams, the German must surely be full of confidence. Lisicki loves the challenge of facing the big players and with Agnieszka Radwanska the only real star in her section of the draw, she will be looking to take her chances of going one better than in London.
6 Sam Stosur – The Australian won at Flushing Meadows in 2011 but has since developed an unwanted reputation for her inconsistency while also often losing games against weaker players. The 29-year-old has been there and done it though and having beaten tournament favourite, Serena Williams, on her way to glory two years ago, knows she can win the event. On her day, Stosur is an immense talent and having recently won at Carlsbad will want to prove she isn’t a spent force on the big stage.
5 Sloane Stephens – 20-year-old Sloane Stephens is seen by many Betfair pundits as the natural successor to Serena Williams as the star of American women’s tennis. Tall and athletic, the world number 15 beat her compatriot in the Australian Open and she will relish the opportunity of playing in New York. With two third round appearances behind her, the Floridian will be expecting more and certainly won’t be fazed if she makes it into the final rounds.
4 Jerzy Janowicz – Jerzy Janowicz looks as if he could be a man built for hardcourt tennis, combining the unbelievable power that comes with his six foot eight frame with the mobility of someone half his size. The Pole recently produced his best Grand Slam performance by reaching the last four of Wimbledon and showed no sign of nerves when taking a set off Andy Murray on centre court. At 22-years-old, Janowicz still plays with the freedom of youth and, with David Ferrer the highest ranked man in his section of the draw, he will be extremely confident of making it to at least the last eight.
3 Petra Kvitova – After winning Wimbledon in 2011, Petra Kvitova has been plagued by inconsistency but has recently found her form, making it through to the final in New Haven. Like many of the people on this list, the Czech can beat anyone on her day and has the power to dominate opponents on hardcourts. After a largely disappointing year, Flushing Meadows represents an excellent opportunity for her and she will relish the opportunity to prove her doubters wrong.
2 Roger Federer – This is undoubtedly a controversial call but the former world number one appears to be a man in decline. The 32-year-old hasn’t won a Grand Slam this year and is now being written off by almost everyone in the game. However, he has won in New York five times and appears to be a man who loves to upset the odds. The veteran certainly faces a tough draw with him on course to meet old rival Rafael Nadal in the quarters but Federer is still undoubtedly one of the game’s biggest talents and would love to lift the trophy on September 9.
1 Juan Martin del Potro – Arguably the most unlucky man in tennis, after winning at Flushing Meadows in 2009 he looked set to become one of the game’s major forces. However, he has been plagued by injuries over the last few years but when he has found his game, has shown he can still mix it with the big boys. The 24-year-old recently took Novak Djokovic to five sets at Wimbledon and having also beaten the Serb this year he must be full of confidence. Del Potro has the potential to be the complete player and it seems only a matter of time before he claims his second Grand Slam and 2013 maybe his year.