Andy Murray became the first person to defend an Olympic singles gold medal after beating Argentina’s Juan Martín del Potro in the final of the men’s singles event at Rio.
Rafael Nadal clinched the doubles gold with partner Marc Lopez and the world number one Novak Djokovic was knocked out in the first round of the singles event.
But, whatever happened at Rio has to be quickly forgotten and the players have to start afresh at the US Open, which begins on Monday.
Andy Murray has been in red hot form since Wimbledon, and he will be the one to beat in the tournament this year.
Djokovic, who seems to have lost his steam after this year’s French Open, will certainly try his best to get back into winning ways.
The Quint takes a look at the five players to look out for in the men’s draw of the US Open.
1. Andy Murray
Reuniting with his former coach Ivan Lendl, just before Wimbledon, has done Andy Murray a world of good. The world number two won at the All England Club and capped that with a gold medal at Rio.
Murray has been playing very confidently and striking the ball exquisitely in the recent past. However, he didn’t face Djokovic either in Wimbledon or at Rio.
Therefore, the Scot while being confident about his chances at New York, will have to be weary about the Djoker effect.
Age: 29; 2016 Match Record: 50-7; 2016 Singles Titles: 4; Major Titles: 3
2. Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic, after clinching the French Open earlier this year, became the third player in the history of the game to win four majors in a row. Only Don Budge and Rod Laver have achieved the feat before him.
But after the French Open, Djokovic seemed to have lost his way. The world number lost in the third round of Wimbledon and first round at Rio.
The defending champion also picked up a wrist injury after the Olympics, which might hamper his US Open campaign.
Age: 29; 2016 Match Record: 51-5; 2016 Singles Titles: 7; Major Titles: 12
3. Rafael Nadal
Rafael Nadal has had another year riddled with injuries. After a disastrous start at the Australian Open (first round exit), Nadal pulled out midway through the French Open due to a wrist injury and subsequently withdrew from Wimbledon as well.
However, Nadal finally saw some light at the end of the tunnel in 2016, when he managed to reach the semifinals of the singles event and won the doubles gold at Rio, after being sidelined for two-and-a-half-months.
The Spainard has been known more for his determination that skills in his career. A determined Rafael Nadal can never be written off from any tournament.
Age: 30; 2016 Match Record: 34-11; 2016 Singles Titles: 2; Major Titles: 14
4. Juan Martin del Potro
Argentina’s Juan Martin del Potro has been making life miserable for the top players since his return from injury.
The world number 142, who played his first Wimbledon in three years, earlier this year, has beaten the likes of Stanislas Wawrinka (Wimbledon), Novak Djokovic (Rio Olympics and Rafael Nadal (Rio Olympics).
The 27-year-old also gave tough competition to Andy Murray in the final of the men’s singles event at Rio.
Del Potro could be the dark horse of the tournament.
Age: 27; 2016 Match Record: 18-9; 2016 Singles Titles: 0; Major Titles: 1
5. Marin Cilic
Marin Cilic’s favourite major has to be the US Open. The Croatian has made it to the semifinals of a major thrice in his career and two of those occasions have taken place at the US Open (2014 and 2015).
In 2014, the present world number nine went on to win the tournament. Cilic had beaten Federer in straight sets in the semifinals during the competition.
The Croatian is entering this year’s US Open in good form. He clinched the recently concluded Cincinnati Masters after beating Murray in straight sets.
Age: 27; 2016 Match Record: 32-17; 2016 Singles Titles: 1; Major Titles: 1
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