The In-form Roger Federer has been branded as a hot favourite to win the US Open title for the sixth time, after his fine performance in the preparatory tournaments leading up to the final Grand Slam of the year.
The Swiss Maestro, who is chasing a record 18th major win, might get his first major win this season, if he manages to keep his Toronto and Cincinnati form going at Flushing Meadows.
The world number three bounced back from a disappointing French Open campaign and reached the final of Wimbledon and Toronto Masters and clinched the title in Cincinnati, beating Spaniard David Ferrer.
"This year I played a lot of good matches," Federer said. "Not just Toronto and Cincinnati, but really from the first week on I have always played really nice tennis. Then you come into this US Open remembering how it feels to win tournaments.
"You remember and you get used to that. You almost forget how to lose to a point and confidence rises. You're back to winning ways again and everything seems so simple... I feel like I can play a great tournament."
Federer hasn't made an appearance in the final in New York since 2009 but he is coming into the tournament with a lot of confidence and the absence of his nemeses Rafael Nadal and tumbling form of top seed Novak Djokovic might give him an advantage.
The former world number one will open his campaign against Marinko Matosevic of Australia. Federer has faced Matosevic once in Brisbane, when he thrashed the Aussie in straight sets.
Matosevic made second round appearances in Atlanta, Washington and Cincinnati and pulled out of the Toronto Masters because of an injury. The world number 76 is unlikely to cause any upset but the number one Swiss is not taking Matosevic lightly.
"I think I have only played him once in Brisbane this year, and I played him very well on a similar court," Federer recalled. "He's had some better wins now. This year he's really moved up the rankings.
"Clearly I am aware that he can play some dangerous tennis, but at the same time, I feel like it's on my racquet. I have to make sure he has to work extremely hard and he knows the finish line is really far away."
In another first round encounter, fourth seed Ferrer will be up against Damir Dzumhur of Bosnia at the Louis Armstrong Stadium. This will be their first meeting on the professional tour and the Spaniard will be expected to see off the challenge of the world number 119.
Meanwhile, Japanese Kei Nishikori will open his US Open campaign against Wayne Odesnik, home hope John Isner will face Marcos Giron in the first round at the Arthur Ashe Stadium and Frenchman Gael Monfils will lock horns with Jared Donaldson.
Schedule of Play
Kei Nishikori vs Wayne Odesnik starts 8:30 pm IST
Marcos Giron vs John Isner starts 10:30 pm IST
Damir Dzumhur vs David Ferrer starts 1:30 am IST
Gael Monfils vs Jared Donaldson starts 2:30 am IST
Marinko Matosevic vs Roger Federer starts 4:30 am IST
Where to Watch Live
The day's action is scheduled for 8:30 pm IST (3:00 pm GMT, 4:00 pm BST and 11:00 am ET) start with live coverage on Ten Sports in India and live streaming option HERE. International viewers can catch the action HERE and HERE or listen to the action free HERE. The live updates of all matches are available online HERE, HERE or HERE.
Eurosport will broadcast matches live in the UK and Europe. Viewers can also live stream the action HERE or listen to the action live online on BBC HERE. Catch the action live on ESPN Network and CBS Sports Network in the United States or see live streaming HERE or HERE. SuperSport will telecast the action in South Africa and Sub Saharan Africa and viewers can catch the matches live HERE.
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