The 2017 Us Open Tennis Championships' main draw is out and it contains some exciting possible match-ups. Despite suffering from a long list of absentees, the men's singles contest will go on with what it can use. The current world No. 1 and two-time titlist Rafa Nadal shares the upper half of the draw with the five-time former champion and the current world No. 3 Roger Federer.
For both players, the last Major of the season is a chance to cap a near-perfection season. So far, the limits of domination were well-determined. Nadal reclaimed his clay court status while Federer went on cruising through the grass court swing on top of that perfect run from the first hard court session.
What is truly amazing is that their head to head history (23-14 for Nadal), doesn't include a single US Open match-up.
With Federer winning their last four encounters, there were some hopes and dreams of a final between them in New York. As Federer wasn't able to get past Murray in the ranking, the 36-year-old Swiss player entered the draw ceremony seeded third.
Nadal needs to confirm his world No. 1 status
It's been a while since the 31-year-old was able to deliver some special tennis in New York. Now, as he is back at the summit, the pressure and expectations are both higher. Following his 10th French Open title, Nadal saw his yield decreasing. Preparing for the US Open, he went on tackling the North American outdoor swing with little success.
Losing to Shapovalov and Kyrgios wasn't part of the plan. His overall numbers are still solid especially due to those three titles in a row on clay followed by another Roland Garros complete run. He is 49-9 in the win/ loss department and will face Dusan Lajovic (84 ATP) in his US Open opener.
Federer seeks his sixth US Open title and the first one since 2008
The US Open field was part of that crushing domination Federer applied to the professional tour in the mid-2000s'. Winning five titles in a row at Flushing Meadows (2004-2008) is the unquestionable proof.
Now, following a first tremendous half of 2017 ( two Grand Slam titles), he went on fully committed for the US Open Series only to see his ship sinking.
He lost the final of Rogers Cup in Montreal being crushed by Alexander Zverev in the final. Later, he withdrew from Cincinnati due to a back injury. Now, seeded third in New York, he will start his US Open bid by confronting Frances Tiafoe (71 ATP) in the opening round.
