Big names back for US hard court season

The US hard court season is well underway as players begin their preparation for the US Open in earnest. The big names are easing themselves back into action after Wimbledon but will need to hit the ground running at Cincinnati and Montreal, the premier Flushing Meadows warm-up events.

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have had more reason than most to take it easy this summer. Federer is more concerned with looking after his twin daughters than he is his
tennis game, whilst Nadal wants to be properly recovered from his knee problems that forced him out of Wimbledon.
Both have won the Canadian Masters twice before and it would be no surprise to see them renew their rivalry in the final. Nadal is keen to make up for lost time and Federer is more relaxed then ever after seeing his life priorities change and having achieved his Grand Slam record. Their classic rivalry should be at its fiercest for the rest of this season.

Andy Roddick is another who has taken some time out and he looked in good form at the Legg Mason Classic in Washington. He always performs well on the hard courts and will be a major force at the forthcoming major events.

Roddick could well be leading an American renaissance. The US men’s game has struggled since the retirement of Andre Agassi, but the development of Sam Querrey suggests the future is brighter than it seems.

The big server won the LA Tennis Open and reached the final of the Indianapolis Championships. Querrey also showed some good form at Wimbledon and a decent run in the US Open looks a real possibility. Make sure you bear this in mind when you place for US Open bet!