A LOOK AT ISNER, YOUNG AND THE REST OF AMERICA’S CHANCES HEADING INTO THE 2014 U.S. OPEN BY RICKY DIMON

Written by: Staff on 19th August 2014

Regions Morgan Keegan Championships in Memphis

A LOOK AT ISNER, YOUNG AND THE REST OF AMERICA'S CHANCES HEADING INTO THE 2014 U.S. OPEN BY RICKY DIMON

epa03119120 Donald Young of the US reacts to a missed shot during second round match play against John Isner of the US in the Regions Morgan Keegan Championships in Memphis, Tennessee, USA 23 February 2012. EPA/TANNEN MAURY |

It’s no secret that we are in the midst of a rough patch for American men’s tennis–certainly on the singles front. The trials and tribulations of the United States contingent are well-documented. It has been more than a decade since an American man won a Grand Slam title (Andy Roddick at the 2003 U.S. Open).

Speaking of Roddick, he retired–prematurely by today’s standards–after the 2012 U.S. Open. Former top 10 player Mardy Fish is dealing with an anxiety disorder and may never again take the court (see the recent USA Today piece on Fish if you have not already checked it out).

We are left with only seeded man, John Isner, for the upcoming fortnight in New York. Still, there may be at least some reasons for optimism if you are a fan of American tennis. What are they? Let’s find out by taking a look at the state of the union, specifically in regard to its main-draw participants.

John Isner – Isner is in line to be the No. 13 seed at the U.S. Open. A top 16 seed means he will avoid any top eight player until at least the fourth round, but a top 12 seed would have assured no top 4 opponent until at least the quarterfinals. Isner could still snag the 12th seed if Richard Gasquet withdraws. The world No. 15 has not enjoyed his best summer, but that could be a blessing in disguise in that he will be–for once–well-rested heading into New York regardless of how far he goes this week in Winston-Salem. With most of the top players in the world dealing with various issues (or missing the tournament altogether), this may be Isner’s best chance to reach the final weekend.

Donald Young – Currently ranked 46th in the world, Young came much closer to being seeded than he did to missing the cut for direct entry (something that has been an issue for him in years past). The 25-year-old reached the semifinals in Washington, D.C. earlier this month, so he should be confident. Young made it to the fourth round of the U.S. Open in 2011.

Steve Johnson – No American man is hotter right now that Steve Johnson. The former University of Southern California star is up to a career-high ranking of No. 49 in the world in part thanks to a quarterfinal showing in Washington, D.C. and a third-round appearance in Cincinnati. Johnson boasts wins this summer over Isner, Ivo Karlovic, and Ernests Gulbis, and he pushed Milos Raonic to a third-set tiebreaker in Cincinnati.

Jack Sock – Sock has positively been a sensation in doubles this summer with Canadian partner Vasek Pospisil. The duo won Wimbledon, maintained its perfection in Atlanta, and finished runner-up to the Bryan Brothers in Cincinnati. In singles, Sock reached semifinals in Newport and Atlanta. The world No. 55 has made it to the third round of the U.S. Open each of the past two years.

Sam Querrey – Once the comfortable owner of the United States’ No. 2 spot behind Isner, Querrey has been locked in a battle and even surpassed for that distinction now. The world No. 56 is a mediocre 19-18 this season and has underachieved on American hard court this summer following a nice run on grass.

Tim Smyczek – Smyczek would currently be well inside the main-draw cut for a Grand Slam at No. 91 in the world, but he was on the outside looking at the time of the U.S. Open entry deadline. In fact, when the qualifying draw was made on Monday (ending direct entry hopes) he was one spot away. But Smyczek has a wild card, so no matter. He reached the third round last summer in New York before losing a thrilling five-setter on the Grandstand to Marcel Granollers.

Wayne Odesnik – Odesnik won a wild card from the USTA for accumulating the most points in hard-court Challengers this summer. The association cannot be too happy; 1) Odesnik is not the most liked or respected character, and 2) at No. 180 in the world he does not have a great chance of winning a main-draw match.

Ryan Harrison – At 184th in the world, Harrison obviously needed a wild card to get into the main draw. He got one based on past history and perceived talent. This season, though, has been an injury-plagued disaster for Harrison. He is currently making a comeback from a foot problem in Winston-Salem, where he won his first-round match over Jan-Lennard Struff.

Jared Donaldson – Big hype surrounds Donaldson, a 17-year-old already up to a career-high ranking of No. 305 in the world. The No. 1 seed in the boys 18s in Kalamazoo, Donaldson was forced to retire with an abdominal injury in the quarterfinals. Still, he got a wild card despite not earning one automatically.

Marcos Giron – Giron played his way into the U.S. Open by winning the NCAA singles championship. The UCLA standout, ranked 301st in the word, qualified this week in Winston-Salem before losing 6-4, 6-4 to Aleksandr Nedovyesov.

Noah Rubin – Rubin is in outstanding form heading into his first main draw of a Grand Slam. The 18-year-old, ranked No. 584, won the Wimbledon junior title as a qualifier. He also triumphed in both singles and doubles in Kalamazoo, clinching U.S. Open wild cards in both events. Rubin beat defending champ Collin Altamirano 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 in the singles final. The future Wake Forest player also got a WC this week in Winston-Salem, where he pushed world No. 117 Bradley Klahn to a third-set tiebreaker.

Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and also maintains his own tennis website, The Grandstand.

Topics: Andy Roddick, Donald Young, jack sock, John Isner, Ricky Dimon, Sam Querrey, Steve Johnson, Tennis, Tennis News, Tim Smyczek

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10sBalls_com says:

August 19, 2014 at 8:59 am

A LOOK AT @JohnIsner, YOUNG AND THE REST OF AMERICA’S CHANCES HEADING INTO THE 2014 @usopen BY @RD_Tennistalk http://t.co/ttDqGeMArE #tennis