The US Open is just days away, and with so many of the competitors either coming in hobbled or else finished for 2017 altogether, the year's last major is arguably more wide open than it has been in over a decade.  That is why although it is dangerous to assign too much importance to a single event, an outcome that results in a familiar champion or a fresh face holding the trophy aloft could play a pivotal role in not only determining what unfolds the remainder of the season but setting the tone going into 2018.

The odds favor it being a familiar champion who will reign supreme, with the most likely candidate being Roger Federer.  The Swiss has defied all expectation this year, winning both the Australian Open and Wimbledon to bring his Grand Slam tally to nineteen.  He also pulled off the “Sunshine Double” at Indian Wells and Miami, reached the final of Montreal, and has put himself in a strong position to potentially finish the year Number 1. 

He was particularly impressive with the way he waltzed to the title at Wimbledon, and given that his brand of quick-strike, aggressive tennis is equally if not more rewarded on the fast, hard courts of Flushing Meadows, there is no reason why a healthy Federer could not do the same at the US Open.  Federer's health is the one question mark, however.  He was clearly battling a back injury midway through the Montreal final, and it relegated him to the sidelines for Cincinnati.  That said, assuming the back is not major issue, one could do a lot worse than selecting Federer as a solid bet in New York.

Rafael Nadal is another legend folks will look to do well at the last major of the season.  Like Federer, he has enjoyed a spectacular resurgence in 2017.  He put forth some strong play throughout the first quarter and was virtually untouchable on the clay.  He won two of the three clay Masters events and secured a staggering tenth Roland Garros crown.  His phenomenal play has seen him rise to Number 1 in the rankings for the fourth time in his illustrious career, and he will be keen to pad his lead to extend his stay at the top by putting together a great showing in New York.  He is no stranger to success at this venue, having won the title twice, though as evidenced by his results in both Canada and Cincinnati, he is vulnerable on these fast, hard courts.  For that reason, he may not be as attractive of a candidate as Federer for the title, but he is a very strong contender nonetheless.

Of course, as entertaining as it has been to see Federer and Nadal once again rise the ranks, the more intriguing aspect of this year's US Open could be whether or not a member from a younger generation will step up to the plate to take advantage of the opportunity before them.  Grigor Dimitrov looks to have rediscovered the form he exhibited at the start of the year, producing some scintillating tennis on his way to the title in Cincinnati and illustrating that he has the tools to go seven rounds at a major.

The man he vanquished in that final, Nick Kyrgios, is another player many believe is a future Grand Slam champion.  He has accumulated a number of notable victories this year alone and based on the way he blitzed Nadal in the quarterfinals of Cincinnati, he has proven he can dictate a match against the most decorated of champions.  The Australian continues to be his own worst enemy though, often showing questionable tactics, commitment, and attitude on court, but there is no questioning his talent, which if he can put it together between the ears is more than sufficient to bag him slam titles.

And then there is Alexander Zverev, arguably the most impressive of the bunch.  Aged only twenty, he has already won two Masters titles this year, is firmly entrenched in the Top 10, and won the tournaments in Washington and Montreal this summer.  He has demonstrated he is a quick learner and crucially has demonstrated greater mental maturity on court.  The notion that he might be ready to take the next step and win a major is not out of the realm of possibility.

Suffice it to say, there is plenty at stake for these men and the rest of the field as they prepare to tackle a relatively wide-open US Open.  No matter the outcome, there is sure to be some breathtaking tennis on display, and when all is said and done, it could give both players and fans a clue as to what we can expect in the months to come.