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US OPEN '17: Can Federer, Murray take advantage of absences?
Men to watch at the U.S. Open, where play begins Monday:
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RAFAEL NADAL
Ranked: 1
Age: 31
Country: Spain
2017 Match Record: 49-9
2017 Singles Titles: 4
Career Singles Titles: 73
Major Titles: 15 - U.S. Open ('10, `13), French Open ('05, `06, `07, `08, `10, `11, `12, `13, `14, `17), Wimbledon ('08, `10), Australian Open ('09)
Last 5 U.S. Opens: `16-Lost in 4th Round, `15-3rd, `14-Did Not Play, `13-Won Championship, `12-DNP
Aces: Winning 33 percent of his return games this season, second-highest rate on ATP Tour. ... Back atop the rankings for the first time since 2014.
Topspin: Playing at an elite level this season so should get to quarterfinals - or better - at Flushing Meadows for first time since 2013 title. ... Still has never faced Roger Federer at U.S. Open.
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ANDY MURRAY
Ranked: 2
Age: 30
Country: Britain
2017 Match Record: 25-10
2017 Singles Titles: 1
Career Singles Titles: 45
Major Titles: 3 - U.S. Open ('12), Wimbledon ('13, `16)
Last 5 U.S. Opens: `16-QF, `15-4th, `14-QF, `13-QF, `12-W
Aces: Like Nadal, winning 35 percent of opponents' first-serve points; no one on tour has a higher number in 2017. ... Sore hip hampered him at Wimbledon in July; hasn't competed since.
Topspin: Hasn't been past quarterfinals in New York since it was the site of his first major championship. Only a possibility this year if the time off has helped him heal.
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ROGER FEDERER
Ranked: 3
Age: 36
Country: Switzerland
2017 Match Record: 35-3
2017 Singles Titles: 5
Career Singles Titles: 93
Major Titles: 19 - U.S. Open ('04, `05, `06, `07, `08), Wimbledon ('03, `04, `05, `06, `07, `09, `12, `17), Australian Open ('04, `06, `07, `10, `17), French Open ('09)
Last 5 U.S. Opens: `16-DNP, `15-F, `14-SF, `13-4th, `12-QF
Aces: Back in New York after missing the tournament a year ago while taking off the last half of the season to let his surgically repaired left knee heal. ... The time off worked: No one has played better this year, including titles at the two majors he entered, the Australian Open and Wimbledon.
Topspin: Sat out a hard-court tuneup in Ohio after tweaking his back. If he's fine, look out. If not, it's too much to ask for him to win his first U.S. Open title in nearly a decade.
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ALEXANDER ZVEREV
Ranked: 6
Age: 20
Country: Germany
2017 Match Record: 46-14
2017 Singles Titles: 5
Career Singles Titles: 6
Major Titles: 0 - Best: 4th, Wimbledon ('17)
Last 5 U.S. Opens: `16-2nd, `15-1st, `14-DNP, `13-DNP, `12-DNP
Aces: Tied with Federer for most titles in 2017. ... Establishing himself as the sport's ''Next Big Thing.''
Topspin: After showing he can win a Masters title and compete with the elite, one thing remains to accomplish: a deep run at a major tournament. He is certainly capable of it, but when?
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MARIN CILIC
Ranked: 7
Age: 28
Country: Croatia
2017 Match Record: 29-14
2017 Singles Titles: 1
Career Singles Titles: 17
Major Titles: 1 - U.S. Open ('14)
Last 5 U.S. Opens: `16-3rd, `15-SF, `14-W, `13-DNP, `12-QF
Aces: Runner-up finish at Wimbledon proved he is firmly in the group of players right behind the Big 4.
Topspin: Hasn't played since dealing with a foot blister in loss to Federer at All England Club, so unclear what sort of contender he'll be.
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NICK KYRGIOS
Ranked: 18
Age: 22
Country: Australia
2017 Match Record: 26-12
2017 Singles Titles: 0
Career Singles Titles: 3
Major Titles: 0 - Best: QF, Australian Open ('15), Wimbledon ('14)
Last 5 U.S. Opens: `16-3rd, `15-1st, `14-3rd, `13-1st, `12-DNP
Aces: Seems to have recovered from hip problem that bothered him at Wimbledon. ... Run to final in Ohio this month, including upset of Nadal, was latest demonstration of his immense talent.
Topspin: Has the game to succeed in New York and the charisma to become a fan favorite.
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Follow Howard Fendrich on Twitter at http://twitter.com/HowardFendrich
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More AP tennis coverage: https://apnews.com/tag/apf-Tennis
