Men to watch at the U.S. Open, which begins Monday:
NOVAK DJOKOVIC
Seeded: 1
Ranked: 1
Age: 27
Country: Serbia
2014 Match Record: 39-6
2014 Singles Titles: 4
Career Singles Titles: 45
Major Titles: 7 - U.S. Open ('11), Wimbledon ('11, `14), Australian Open ('08, `11, `12, `13)
Last 5 U.S. Opens: `13-Lost in Final, `12-F, `11-Won Championship, `10-F, `09-SF
Topspin: Hard courts usually his best surface, but did not perform well at Toronto or Cincinnati ahead of New York, going only 2-2. ... Reached the final each of the last four years at Flushing Meadows, but has only one title to show for it. ... Had lost five of his last six Grand Slam finals overall before winning Wimbledon in July and returning to No. 1 in the rankings.
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ROGER FEDERER
Seeded: 2
Ranked: 3
Age: 33
Country: Switzerland
2014 Match Record: 49-9
2014 Singles Titles: 3
Career Singles Titles: 80
Major Titles: 17 - U.S. Open ('04, `05, `06, `07, `08), Wimbledon ('03, `04, `05, `06, `07, `09, `12), Australian Open ('04, `06, `07, `10), French Open ('09)
Last 5 U.S. Opens: `13-4th, `12-QF, `11-SF, `10-SF, `09-F
Topspin: Has gone 18-2 at his past four tournaments, reaching the final at each one and winning two titles. ... After winning five consecutive U.S. Open championships, then losing to Juan Martin del Potro in 2009 final, hasn't made it back to the title match in New York. ... While rival Rafael Nadal is sitting out the U.S. Open for the second time in three years, Federer will be appearing in his 60th consecutive Grand Slam tournament.
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STAN WAWRINKA
Seeded: 3
Ranked: 4
Age: 29
Country: Switzerland
2014 Match Record: 31-10
2014 Singles Titles: 3
Career Singles Titles: 7
Major Titles: 1 - Australian Open ('14)
Last 5 U.S. Opens: `13-SF, `12-4th, `11-2nd, `10-QF, `09-1st
Topspin: Made a real breakthrough a year ago at the U.S. Open, beating defending champion Andy Murray to reach his first major semifinal in the 35th Grand Slam tournament of his career. At the 36th, the Australian Open in January, Wawrinka won the title, giving hope to other players that they, too, could elbow aside the Big 4 of the men's game.
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MILOS RAONIC
Seeded: 5
Ranked: 6
Age: 23
Country: Canada
2014 Match Record: 34-12
2014 Singles Titles: 1
Career Singles Titles: 6
Major Titles: 0 - Best: SF, Wimbledon ('14)
Last 5 U.S. Opens: `13-4th, `12-4th, `11-Did Not Play, `10-1st, `09-DNP
Topspin: Finished atop the U.S. Open Series standings, so would earn a $1 million bonus in addition to top prize of $3 million if he wins the title at Flushing Meadows. ... All career titles came on hard courts. ... As dangerous a server as there is, he ranks second on tour this season in aces, and third in percentage of service games won.
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GRIGOR DIMITROV
Seeded: 7
Ranked: 8
Age: 23
Country: Bulgaria
2014 Match Record: 38-12
2014 Singles Titles: 3
Career Singles Titles: 4
Major Titles: 0 - Best: SF, Wimbledon ('14)
Last 5 U.S. Opens: `13-1st, `12-1st, `11-1st, `10-DNP, `09-DNP
Topspin: Never has won a match in the U.S. Open's main draw, going 0-3. ... Long ago nicknamed ''Baby Fed'' for his game's similarities to Federer's, coming into his own this season, winning titles on three surfaces and reaching first major semifinal.
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ANDY MURRAY
Seeded: 8
Ranked: 9
Age: 27
Country: Britain
2014 Match Record: 34-14
2014 Singles Titles: 0
Career Singles Titles: 28
Major Titles: 2 - U.S. Open ('12), Wimbledon ('13)
Last 5 U.S. Opens: `13-QF, `12-W, `11-SF, `10-3rd, `09-4th
Topspin: Has not reached a final at any tournament since his historic Wimbledon championship in July 2013. ... Coached by Amelie Mauresmo since June.
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JO-WILFRIED TSONGA
Seeded: 9
Ranked: 10
Age: 29
Country: France
2014 Match Record: 30-14
2014 Singles Titles: 1
Career Singles Titles: 11
Major Titles: 0 - Best: F, Australian Open ('08)
Last 5 U.S. Opens: `13-DNP, `12-2nd, `11-QF, `10-DNP, `09-4th
Topspin: Beat Djokovic, Murray, Dimitrov and Federer in succession to win hard-court tuneup at Toronto in August. ... Might face Murray in the round of 16. ... Probably should have better career record in New York, given his booming serve and forehand.
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JOHN ISNER
Seeded: 13
Ranked: 15
Age: 27
Country: United States
2014 Match Record: 31-15
2014 Singles Titles: 2
Career Singles Titles: 9
Major Titles: 0 - Best: QF, at U.S. Open ('11)
Last 5 U.S. Opens: `13-3rd, `12-3rd, `11-QF, `10-3rd, `09-4th
Topspin: If he can make it to the fourth in New York, could run up against Djokovic. But to get there, might need a third-round victory against 22nd-seeded Philipp Kohlschreiber, the guy Isner lost to in the third round in 2012 and 2013.
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