US Open Matches to Watch: Day 1

Day 1 of the US Open kicks off tomorrow with a number of the top players in action. Here are a list of matches that should not be missed:

Monday August 30, 2010

Daniela Hantuchova vs. Dinara Safina
Hantuchova is currently ranked 26th in the world, with Safina ranked 59th. Both players have reached the quarterfinals of the US Open before, but only Safina has ever been the world number one and she has a head-to-head record of 6-3 over Hantuchova. Either player could win this match, but I think Safina has a good shot if she can focus and play the way we know she can.

Jurgen Melzer vs. Dimitry Tursunov
It looks like Melzer should easily win this match, as he's ranked 15th in the world and Tursunov is ranked much lower at 482nd. However, Tursunov has been ranked as high as 20th in the world, and he can play a lot better than his ranking suggests. Melzer should win, but I wouldn't be all that surprised to see an upset here.

Lleyton Hewitt vs. Paul-Henri Mathieu
Hewitt is currently ranked 32nd in the world, but he is a former US Open winner and former world number one. Mathieu has been ranked as high as number 12 in the world, but he is currently ranked 107th. People will expect Hewitt to win this match, and no one should be surprised if he does, but Lleyton hasn't been able to play consistent tennis for quite a while now, and this match could be closer than expected.

Taylor Dent vs. Alejandro Falla
Alejandro Falla has played some great tennis this summer, including the near-upset of Federer in the first round of Wimbledon, and I think he can take out some good players if he's playing well. Falla is currently ranked 66th in the world, and his best result at the US Open is a second round finish in 2006. American Taylor Dent is ranked 70th in the world, and his best result here is a fourth round finish in 2004. This could prove to be an exciting match as both players are of a similar ranking and skill level, but Dent has an advantage in that he will have the support of the crowd.

Brian Dabul vs. Roger Federer
I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that Federer is the favourite to win this match. The current world number 2 has won this title 5 times already, while the 94th ranked Dabul is making his first appearance at the Open. Federer is considered a favourite at this tournament and he should easily win this match, but if he doesn't completely destroy his opponent (or if he loses a set!) then I'm sure the talk will switch back to the whole "Federer is done" thing once again.