Advertisement
Roger Federer last won the US Open in 2008. AP Photo/Charles Krupa
swiss bliss

Roger Federer named top seed for US Open

The world number one will be looking for his 18th Grand Slam title at Flushing Meadows.

ROGER FEDERER HAS not won the US Open since 2008 but he enters this year’s event as the top seed and the overwhelming favourite.

Federer got the seedings boost that many predicted after he swept world number two Novalk Djokovic aside at the Western and Southern Open on Sunday.

Djokovic will be the second seed in the Men’s Singles draw with Olympic Gold Medallist Andy Murray seeded third.

With Rafa Nadal out of action for the foreseeable future, the route to the last four at Flushing Meadows should prove marginally easier to negotiate.

In the Spaniard’s absence, his fellow countryman David Ferrer rounds out the top four seedings.

Title number six in sights

Federer has captured the US Open title on five previous occasions but he was last victorious in New York back in 2008 when he dismantled the challenge of Murray.

The 31-year-old has a 56-7 winning record at Flushing and a victory in the 9 September final would see him surpass Pete Sampras and Jimmy Connors for all-time titles in the Open Era.

Other major players in the Men’s draw include 2009 Us Open winner, Juan Martin del Potro, who is seeded seventh, Jo-Wilfred Tsonga (fifth), Tomas Berdych (sixth), Andy Roddick (20th) and Mardy Fish (23rd).

The US Open will be played at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center from 27 August to 9 September.

The Men’s Singles draw will take place on Thursday.

The women’s seedings have yet to be announced.

Sampling Gaelic football life with the Rebels and Tír Chonaill

Penney set to choose Howlett ahead of O’Connell as new Munster captain