Williams looking more number 1 that Wozniacki

It is a tale of contrasting fortunes building up to the US Open for the current world number one and a woman looking capable of taking back that spot.

Current world number one Caroline Wozniacki has been having a nightmare time and suffered a second successive early exit from the Western and Southern Open.

The Dane lost 6-4 7-5 to American teenager Christina McHale in Cincinnati and that came only a week after a first round exit in Toronto. Those who bet on US Open...

Philip Oliver

Federer close to something big at US Open

Roger Federer may have had a low-profile season by his usual high expectations, but he has issued a warning to his rivals by stating he is on the verge of something big coming into the US Open.

The Swiss star has just turned 30 years of age and has won 16 Grand Slam titles – including five consecutive US Open tournaments between 2004 and 2008 – but he has not won a major title since the Australian Open in 2010.

Failure to win the US Open will make 2011 the first season...

Philip Oliver

DelPo Impresses in LA

Juan Martin del Potro impressed tennis fans in Los Angeles, yesterday, by ousting Yonkers-born player, James Blake, 6-4, 7-6, to progress to the quarterfinals of the Farmers Classic. The Argentine, who is expected to be a contender for the US Open in New York, described the encounter as a "really tough match". Those following the US Open 2011 tennis odds should bear this in mind.

The Farmers Classic is the second male-only tournament in the US Open Series, and the third...

Philip Oliver

Isner and Fish in Atlanta Final

John Isner almost made the best possible start US Open preparation by narrowly failing to beat Mardy Fish in the final of the Atlanta Tennis Championships. The tournament was the first of ten in the Olympus US Open Series, a collection of tennis fixtures that serve as preparation for the US Open, in August.

The final of the Atlanta Open was a repeat of the 2010 final and the result was identical, as Fish battled back from two match points down to claim consecutive Atlanta titles....

Philip Oliver

US Open: The Underdogs

The Grand Slams are usually dominated by the big name players, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have 26 Grand Slam titles between them, so it is very rare to see one of the absolute elite not win the tournament. The last time Federer, Nadal or Novak Djokovic did not win a Grand Slam was the US Open in 2009 with Juan Martin Del Potro.

Before that was Marat Safin all the way back in 2005 at the Australian Open. When this does happen, it is a great surprise to many but as a great joy for...

Philip Oliver