Nadal’s second US Open on his racket

Rafael Nadal’s second US Open title is as on his racket as it is ever likely to be considering his current form and that of his opponents.

Wins in Montreal and Cincinnati, where he beat Federer and Djokovic along the way, make him the player in the best form going into the tournament. His serve, forehand, aggression and intensity have been at their best and with the confidence three Hard Court Masters title must have given him, it is hard to picture anyone else but him winning the tournament.

To get his hands on the title, he is likely to have to play the world number seven Roger Federer in the last eight. Two hard court wins over Federer this season and the match up advantage Nadal has over the Swiss indicate that Nadal will be the one to move into the semi-final unless the Swiss finds himself inspired at a Major which he has won five times.

In the semi-finals, the likely opponent would be Ferrer or Gasquet. Ferrer though is out of form and Gasquet would need to be having one of his best days to get the better of Nadal in five sets.

In the final, either Djokovic or Murray would await.

Nadal has gotten the better of Djokovic this season. His tough five set win in Paris and his three set win in Cincinnati will give him the edge over a man who seems to be lacking some confidence after hard defeats in Paris and Wimbledon.

Meanwhile, Murray would be a new proposition in a Major final for Nadal, and one which should not pose too many problems. Nadal’s forehand and mental toughness are weapons which overshadow any of Murray’s and should overwhelm him in a best of five sets Major final, a stage Nadal has been the winner 12 times to Murray’s 2.