Men to watch at the U.S. Open, where play begins on Monday:
NOVAK DJOKOVIC
Seeded: 1
Country: Serbia
Age: 32
2019 Match Record: 38-7
2019 Singles Titles: 3
Career Singles Titles: 75
Grand Slam Singles Titles: 16 — U.S. Open (3: 2011, 2015, 2018), Australian Open (7: 2008, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2019), French Open (1: 2016), Wimbledon (5: 2011, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019)
Last 5 U.S. Opens: 2018-Won Championship, 2017-Did Not Play, 2016-Runner-Up, 2015-W, 2014-Lost in Semifinals
Aces: Has won 4 of past 5 major tournaments, 33 of past 34 Grand Slam matches. … Reached at least semifinals in each of last 11 U.S. Open appearances.
Topspin: At the moment, it’s hard to pick against Djokovic, in general, but especially on his preferred hard courts — and when the stakes are greatest.
Matchup to Watch For: Could play Sam Querrey in 2nd round, three-time major champ Stan Wawrinka in 4th round.
RAFAEL NADAL
Seeded: 2
Country: Spain
Age: 33
2019 Match Record: 41-6
2019 Singles Titles: 3
Career Singles Titles: 83
Grand Slam Singles Titles: 18 — U.S. Open (3: 2010, 2013, 2017), Australian Open (1: 2009), French Open (12: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019), Wimbledon (2: 2008, 2010)
Last 5 U.S. Opens: 2018-SF, 2017-W, 2016-4th, 2015-3rd, 2014-DNP
Aces: Closing in on 750 consecutive weeks ranked in the top 10; only Jimmy Connors (789) has more.
Topspin: Chances of getting closer to Roger Federer in Grand Slam title chase depend on how body holds up. … Retired from his semifinal against Juan Martin del Potro a year ago in New York.
Matchup to Watch For: Plays John Millman, who beat Roger Federer in New York last year, in 1st round.
ROGER FEDERER
Seeded: 3
Country: Switzerland
Age: 38
2019 Match Record: 39-6
2019 Singles Titles: 3
Career Singles Titles: 102
Grand Slam Singles Titles: 20 — U.S. Open (5: 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008), Australian Open (6: 2004, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2017, 2018), French Open (1: 2009), Wimbledon (8: 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012, 2017)
Last 5 U.S. Opens: 2018-4th, 2017-QF, 2016-DNP, 2015-RU, 2014-SF
Aces: 62-minute loss to Andrey Rublev this month was quickest tour exit since 2003 and left Federer with just 1 hard-court match victory on the tuneup circuit. … Turned 38 on Aug. 8; no man that old has won a Slam title in the professional era.
Topspin: Since 6 consecutive U.S. Open finals from 2004-09, has been back to the title match only once. But there’s a lot less tread on his tires this time.
Matchup to Watch For: Could play Lucas Pouille in 3rd round.
DOMINIC THIEM
Seeded: 4
Country: Austria
Age: 25
2019 Match Record: 31-12
2019 Singles Titles: 3
Career Singles Titles: 14
Grand Slam Singles Titles: 0 — Best: RU, French Open (2018, 2019)
Last 5 U.S. Opens: 2018-QF, 2017-4th, 2016-4th, 2015-3rd, 2014-4th
Aces: Has beaten No. 1-ranked player in each of past 3 seasons, including Djokovic in 2019.
Topspin: As good on hard courts as clay, with only 1 major quarterfinal so far, but if the draw breaks his way, could return to Week 2.
Matchup to Watch For: Could play Gael Monfils or Felix Auger-Aliassime in 4th round.
DANIIL MEDVEDEV
Seeded: 5
Country: Russia
Age: 23
2019 Match Record: 44-16
2019 Singles Titles: 2
Career Singles Titles: 5
Grand Slam Singles Titles: 0 — Best: 4th, Australian Open (2019)
Last 5 U.S. Opens: 2018-3rd, 2017-1st, 2016-DNP, 2015-DNP, 2014-DNP
Aces: Leads tour in match wins, hard court wins (31-8), final appearances (6). … Reached finals at past 3 tournaments, all on hard courts.
Topspin: A lesser-known, younger player who could make a major quarterfinal for first time — as long as he’s not too exhausted.
Matchup to Watch For: Could play Fabio Fognini in 4th round.