The US Open 2008

The current US Open is keeping me on my toes right now! I'm nothing short of excited as I see the possible semi-final line up in the men's draw. Whoah!

On one half of the draw, World No. 2 Roger Federer is due to face either of the two equally deserving netters - No. 3 Novak Djokovic and No. 8 Andy Roddick. The Djokovic-Roddick match is already causing a lot of uproar from tennis fans all over as their meeting promises to be one of the Open's highlights.

Djokovic was runner up to Federer here last year and had won his first grandslam this year at the Australian Open. He was one of the top favorites during this year's French and Wimbledon Open before losing to eventual winner Rafael Nadal and Marat Safin, respectively. Roddick, the former World No. 1, on the other hand, has an impressive resume - winning the US Open in 2003 and beating Djokovic at the Dubai Tennis Championship this year. Both Djokovic and Roddick are strong servers - winning many free points from their tricky and well-maneouvred serves.

Meanwhile, on the other half of the draw, World No. 1 Rafael Nadal is set to face the rising British sensation Andy Murray at the semifinals.

Murray, currently World No. 6, is to reach a career high ranking of No.4 after the US Open. He has been on a roll lately, claiming 3 ATP titles this year - one of them is from his fresh win in Cincinnati against Djokovic in the finals. Nadal, on the other hand, is appearing in his first US Open semifinal - his best showing in the tournament so far. Coming from his French, Wimbledon and Olympics triumph, this is the first time Nadal is seeded No. 1 at a Grandslam tournament.

So, who would not be overwhelmed with this line up? I am just soooo rooting for Nadal right now. Andy Roddick has also been my favorite player ever since while Murray and Djokovic are really exciting and versatile enough to catch my attention. But, expect Federer, the former World No. 1, to spice things up as I always see him as a silent killer on court - winning tournaments with his very, very relaxed and composed playing style.

My fearless forecast? Well, my sixth sense' telling me that Andy Roddick will win over Novak Djokovic in the quarters and will triumph over Roger Federer in the semis - with both matches to be hailed as two of US Open's best played. The Nadal-Murray starrer will be in favor of Nadal, of course and we will see Roddick and Nadal play one of this year's best Grandslam finals - possibly next to the Nadal-Federer showdown in Wimbledon last July. Ahahahaha!

Vamos Rafa!