Roddick Will Falter on the Swiss Alps -- Beware the Dark Horse from Argentina

         Could Del Potro make a run at the 2009 US Open?

In the top half of the men’s draw, Andy Roddick finds himself on the same side as Roger Federer. Andy’s dismal record against Fed is not really worth repeating, but let’s give the American props if he advances to the semis to face Federer this year. Yes, Andy R. had a great Wimbledon and most Americans (myself included) hope he can break the SWISS curse at the US Open in 2009, but don’t count on it.

Nadal’s injury recharged Federer and gave him a new lease on his already storied tennis career. His confidence is sky-high since he took back the number one ranking winning both the French and Wimbledon this year. The only half decent threat to Federer before the semis is the young American and 22nd seed, Sam Querrey. Querrey had a terrific summer on the hard courts, but isn’t quite ready to conquer the Swiss Alps.

No one is even talking about the fourth seed, Novak Djokovic. It wasn't that long ago that Djokovich was being heralded as the next true force in tennis. Nobody is even whispering his name at this year's U.S. Open. That is a major oversight. Roddick would have to best Djokovic in the quarters just to get a shot at Fed.

What’s really interesting in the bottom half of the draw is my dark horse pick, Juan Martin Del Potro from Argentina. This guy is a piece of work. He’s a giant that covers the court like a wide receiver. He serves lights out and could give second seeded Andy Murray the same treatment he got from Roddick at Wimbledon. The guy has no fear and fires winners from every position on the court. Many people say this might be Murray’s coming out party, but I’m putting my money on Del Potro. Whoops, no betting in tennis!

The bottom half of this draw is a nightmare for the third seeded Nadal who is trying to return from a variety of injuries. He has a rough first round clash with the Frenchman Richard Gasquet, once the number seven player in the world. If Nadal somehow advances into the quarters, he could run into another Frenchman, seventh seeded, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. I don’t see Nadal going that far anyway and I would be very surprised to see him make it to the second week of the 2009 Championships.