The 2018 US Open is the last Grand Slam Tennis tournament of the season and one of the best places a pro tennis player would want to make an impression. This year's edition gathered all its seven past champions still active in the men's circuit.
Roger Federer is the most prominent name of the pack as the Swiss tennis star has pocketed a total of five titles at Flushing Meadows. Federer's success at the US Open concentrated in a spectacular streak between 2004-2008. He came one match close to winning again in 2009 and 2015 losing to Juan Martin del Potro (2009) and Novak Djokovic (2015).
Last year he reached the quarterfinals stages. After overcoming a slow start with two five-setters in the first two rounds, Roger Federer ended up being defeated by Juan Martin del Potro.
Federer's draw and a potential early blockbuster with Djokovic
According to Reuters, Roger Federer who was seeded second in the men's draw will headline the second day at the US Open along with his rival Novak Djokovic. According to the ATP official website, he will kick-start the 2018 US Open campaign by taking on Yoshihito Nishioka (177 ATP) in what will be the closing match of the second day in Arthur Ashe Arena.
If he settles in and gets past this first encounter, Roger Federer will cross paths either with Benoit Paire or Dennis Novak.
The third round could bring in the first frisky obstacle as Nick Kyrgios looms on that part of the draw.
Assuming that Federer will book a spot in the second week of the tournament, he would have to prepare for a potential clash with Fabio Fognini or Hyeon Chung. It would be a final preparation before heading for that possible blockbuster against Novak Djokovic.
The Serb seems to have regained his lost mojo and he has the upper hand on Federer after dispatching him in their most recent clash, in the final at Cincinnati.
Potential success over Djokovic offers no guarantees whatsoever as Federer also shares the bottom half of the draw with the young star Alexander Zverev or the 2014 US Open champion Marin Cilic.
What would a potential triumph by Federer at the US Open mean?
Roger Federer seeks his first success in a decade at the US Open. Should he get past that finishing line for the sixth time he would become the only player who can brag about winning at least six titles at three different Grand Slams. Moreover, he will raise his overall Grand Slam counter to 21 while the overall ATP titles showcase will grow to 99.
A success at the 2018 US Open might impact the rankings too. If Rafael Nadal fails to reach at least the semis, a title in New York would place Federer at the ATP summit once more.
