As expected, Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal appear to be on a Sunday afternoon collision course in the finals of the 2009 U.S. Open. But, hold it! Don’t forget that we picked impressive Juan Martin Del Potro to upset the apple cart and escape the U.S. with the Open Cup in his hands. And, you know what? We still like his chances.

On Tuesday, the possibility of a Del Potro-Nadal semi-final pairing took another exciting step forward. Rafa did his thing against impressive French fireballer Gael Monfils in an evening match that had enthralled spectators gasping for air. Nadal’s four set 6-7 (3), 6-3, 6-1, 6-3 triumph sported two of the fleetest players to grace the game.

In a display of pure athleticism, it would be hard to top this matchup. Rafa Nadal did not have time to show effects from his recent knee or abdominal issues. Monfils came out fast and asserted his will in the opening set. But, as usual, Nadal wears on opponents. He settled to the pace and gradually took charge of the match. The two showmen were most entertaining and provided a series of thrillingly deft shots.

Nadal will face Fernando Gonzalez who surprised the other great French player Jo Wilfried Tsonga with a stirring 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(3), 6-4 victory. Gonzalez showed Tsonga no quarter and had answers for Tsonga’s power game. Solid groundstrokes paved the way for the upset. Gonzalez will square off with Nadal on Thursday but it seems unlikely, the Chilean can stay with the hard charging Spaniard.

Perhaps the most disappointing match of the day was a lackluster effort put forth by number two seed, Scotsman Andy Murray. Wearing his best “deer-in-the-headlights” blank look, Murray put on a Safina-like performance that should complete his over-ranked resume. In a pitiful semblance of the play that fans expect from a quality player, Murray’s tennis career seems headed in the wrong direction. Perhaps, a visit to the friendly sports shrink would help?

A triumphant 16th seed, Croatian Marin Cilic, seemed as bewildered as the crowd. He blew past the listless red-head in straight sets, 7-5, 6-2, 6-2 in an embarrassing performance for which the U.S. Open should refund the admission price. At least Murray is done for this year. He needs a break and a new sense of commitment.

Tonight the top-seeded Federer will be center stage against a familiar opponent, Sweden’s Robin Soderling. Soderling will certainly give it his all, but Roger has the answers for Soderling’s big serve. Nonetheless, Soderling has had a strong year.

In the match of the day, Fernando Verdasco will be looking to upset 4th seed Novak Djokovic in a late afternoon pairing. Verdasco and Djokovic have both been on their games so fans expect a battle royal. After the Murray fiasco, a hotly contested match would be a welcome site.

As Nadal and Monfils played late in the night, the cameras shifted briefly to an outside court where a taped Melanie Oudin was practicing for her underdog performance against hot Dane Caroline Wozniacki. The young American has been on a constant media watch and fans wonder how she can maintain her focus.

After her triumph over Italian Flavia Pennetta, Serena Williams told interviewers she was caught up in the Melanie watch and would be cheering for the rising start this evening. Serena will go against Kim Clijsters tomorrow in a stern test against the woman who blasted her sister.

Two grueling weeks at Flushing Meadows can test anyone’s mettle. The persistent media, the aches, the pains and 128 talented athletes all seeking the same prize makes for a tense environment. Now, throw in some good old-fashioned New York heckling, packed venues and an unexpected heat wave and this U.S. Open has all the characteristics of a marathon survival of the fittest contest. That’s pretty much what we have come to expect from Grand Slam Tennis events.

This year’s men’s championship has more questions than usual. Will Rafa play hard or are his knees limiting his mobility? Will Andy Murray, the heir apparent to the throne, self-destruct yet again? Which Fernando Verdasco will show up? Can Novak Djokovic stay focused for seven matches? Will James Blake disappoint the home crowd? Will Juan Martin Del Potro play tough or remain Mr. Nice Guy? Can the King of Tennis capture his third Grand Slam of the year? Can any American win this tournament? What about Robert Kendrick? Can Andy Roddick come all the way back?

Somewhere in that list of questions is the answer to the championship. On U.S. sports shows and even on the financial network CNBC, James Blake and Andy Roddick made the rounds last week. At best, Blake was unimpressive. On the other hand, one must admire Roddick.

The 6’2” 195 pound powerhouse from Nebraska likes to perform at the Open. After all, he won his only Grand Slam here in 2003 when he achieved his number 1 ranking. In his nine Open appearances, Roddick has reached the quarters seven times. He was runner-up in 2006. New York likes Andy and Andy likes New York.

New York especially likes Andy this year. He is the only American with a legitimate shot at the crown. He is riding a wave of success with his finals appearance at Wimbledon where he went toe-to-toe with King Roger losing serve just once in five sets.

With more than $12 million in career earnings and some hefty endorsements, Andy Roddick no longer plays for money. He plays to achieve his potential, his rightful place at the top of the tennis world.

Andy Roddick is one of the great tennis players of the generation. What he has accomplished this year, at age 27, is quite remarkable and very admirable. At the end of the 2008 season, Andy Roddick looked in the mirror, saw his 3rd round exit at Melbourne, his 2nd round stumble at Wimbledon and his quarterfinal fall at the Open and knew something had to happen. Andy Roddick had to re-invent himself or get out of the game that would either eat him up or take him to new heights.

Andy Roddick’s moment of truth had arrived. Staring him ion the face was the need to expand has game, get a firm grip, on his emotions and develop better-scripted game plans. Andy Roddick needed change. He needed to become known as a tennis player, not just a serve and volley specialist. The transformation would not be easy. The change would have to be physical as well as psychological.

The man set about his task. He has succeeded. He began the year with a semi-final appearance in Melbourne. He reached the 4th round in Paris where the red clay has never been his surface. His runner-up at Wimbledon signaled just how far Andy has come. Andy has not had an embarrassing Grand Slam loss in 2009 and he has registered a host of successes.

As impressive as his record is, his long-awaited maturity has shown through. His mental game is together. He knows who he is, what he can do and what he must do to win. He enters each match prepared, in shape and ready to battle. If opponents blink, Andy will step right up. That makes him dangerous.

Andy Roddick can win this U.S. Open. He will be tested. He will meet France’s Marc Gicquel in the second round and Victor Hanescu in round three. Round four could very well find Roddick playing another comeback kid in Fernando Verdasco. These are matches Andy Roddick should win. Verdasco presents a challenge but he may have his own issues with the likes of Robert Kendrick and Tommy Haas in his bracket.

Roddick would then face 4th seed Novak Djokovic in the quarters. Djokovic does not do well with players like Roddick, who refuse to go away and who are willing to slug it out for five sets and five grueling hours. Djokovic wants to get on with it. If Roddick keeps Djokovic on the court, he will be off for a semifinal pairing with the King. Perhaps, he will not lose a service game this time.

The planet’s best tennis player sits in his rightful place atop the 2009 U.S. Open Draw.  Roger Federer will endure some disappointment at this U.S. Open, but it will not diminish the status of the tennis Master of the Universe.

With 15 Grand Slam Championships including two of three in 2009 and with 5 consecutive U.S. Open titles to his credit, nobody would dare dispute this seeding.  Switzerland’s Roger Federer is the best tennis professional to have ever played the game.  He serves the game, his fans and his opponents well.

With that said, it still looks like too bumpy a road to the title in 2009.  Beginning in the third round, there are some familiar names that could pose serious problems for the 2009 French Open and Wimbledon champion.  Australian  Lleyton Hewitt, the 2001 Champion, never goes away quietly and should be Federer’s third round opponent while either crowd favorite American James Blake or Spain’s Tommy Robredo loom as fourth round opponents.

In the quarters, Federer can look forward to Sweden’s Robin Soderling, whose big serve is well suited for New York or Russian Nikolay Davydenko, who is rapidly climbing the rankings.

Federer may be the top seed, but that is no ordinary bracket.  In fact, Roger may have a more difficult time reaching the semis than in any other event this year.

Should Roger escape the quarters, there will be some hungry talent across the net for the semis.  Either the fourth seed, Novak Djokovic or the fifth seed, Andy Roddick will be waiting.

Djokovic’s biggest tests will come from Russian Igor Andreev (3rd round) and German Phillip Kohlschreiber or Czechoslvakia’s Radek Stepanek(4th round) in a bracket that looks decidedly less imposing than Federer’s.

Homestanding and Wimbledon finalist Andy Roddick will have legions of fans trying to push him past German Tommy Haas, Spain’s Fernando Verdasco.  Roddick’s new mindset and improved play make him a hard out for anyone.  Expect Roddick to reach the semis and then watch out.

The unlikely third seed is Spain’s enigmatic Rafael Nadal.  Nadal has never won the Open and has only accomplished the semis once.  His court demeanor does not bode well with the New York crowds, who will once again be all over his act.  Nadal has a relatively smooth path to the semis with Chile’s Fernando Gonzalez and France’s Jo Wilfried Tsonga providing the steepest challenges.  Of late, neither Gonzalez nor Tsonga have been especially successful on the large stage.  Nadal will only have himself to blame if he does not reach the semis.

Second seeded Andy Murray has a tougher road to the semis.  Sixth seeded Juan Martin De Potro looms as a likely quarterfinal matchup.  There will be some business to do for Murray to get that far.  Croatian Ivo Karlovic and Switzerland’s Stanislaus Wawrinka or Marin Cilic could present challenges to the unpredictable Murray.

Murray is always the most difficult player to assess.  Loaded with superstar talent, one must question the Brit’s will to win.  Something always seems to happen to the flamboyant star.  Perhaps the Scotsman will fare better on this side of the pond.  His profile shows that Murray seems to wilt under the media focus.  Unfortunately, Murray’s career is marked with dynamic wins in meaningless matches.  When he reaches center stage, he seems to alter his game plan and play outside his superior talent level.

We think Del Potro will overcome Murray and meet Nadal in the semis.  We also see Federer stumbling to Davydenko who will fend of challenges to reach the semis.

Roddick will ride the crowd past Djokovic and storm past Davydenko to reach the finals again.  Nadal will fall to Del Potro who will claim the eventual title in a five set thriller.  However, if Del Potro goes into one of his inexplicable lackluster periods, Roddick will seize the moment and never look back.  Del Potro rallies to win the Open.  You heard it here!