As summer’s end grows nearer with every passing day, the tennis world is brought to American soil for the grueling US Olympus Series. The finale, of course, is the US Open, in Flushing Meadows, New York.  While the Olympus Series is well underway in various locations across the country, many tennis spectators begin to wonder: who will it be this year?

John Isner in last year's US Open.

The U.S. Open has always been known as the tournament where dreams come true, where one player can upset an entire bracket of far more experienced opponents. It is referred to by some as simply “The Open”, for it is set wide open, for the spoiler, the sleeper to take the world by surprise.

On the women’s side in last year’s US Open, Melanie Oudin shocked the world with her memorable performance. She cruised through a “warmup” of a first round match before squaring off with Russian superstar Elena Dementieva, the fourth ranked player in the world at the time. After three demanding sets lasting nearly three hours of play, Oudin emerged victorious. This was the turning point in the young American’s career. People now knew that Melanie came to New York to win. The streak continued as she pushed past former US Open Champion Maria Sharapova in three sets as well. Critics, announcers, coaches, and fans were now tuned in to the “Oudin Show”. Everybody was eager to see this modern day history slowly unfolding in front of their eyes. The next round Melanie rallied from a set down to overcome power hitting Nadia Petrova in three sets. The unprecedented run still had life. Oudin’s streak of sharp play was soon broken by Caroline Wozniacki, an up and coming Dane, in a heartbreaking quarterfinal. The 2009 US Open introduced a new power in American tennis to the world. Not out of the ordinary for Flushing Meadows.

On the men’s side in the 2009 Open, Juan Martin Del Potro finally realized his potential. The young, talented Argentine roared through a series of tough matches before defeating Roger Federer in the final to win his first major championship. He had never even been to a Major final during his career on the ATP despite his consistent top ten ranking.

Other past ‘Dreamers’ include Andy Roddick, who took the crown in 2003 at the ripe age of 20. Also Maria Sharapova defeated the top two players in the world, Mauresmo and Henin-Hardenne, to win the 2006 US Open as a nineteen year old.

So what about this year? To be honest, the 2010 Open has been been blown wide open. On the women’s side, Serena has been forced to miss out on the US Olympus series due to a foot injury. If she is not ready to compete come tournament time, look for Victoria Azarenka or Agnieszka Radwanska to make a splash. They are hungry for the major win and have been playing well throughout the US Olympus series.

For the men, unfortunately it appears that Roger Federer and his illustrious career is coming to its imminent halt. Rafael Nadal is looking for the career Grand Slam with a US Open win, but he has never been truly successful playing in the Big Apple. Along with his strenuous training regime and history with injuries, the Spaniard is by no means a lock to win it.

With the two main men in tennis not being sure fire locks to take the title, look for young Americans Jonh Isner, Sam Querrey and Mardy Fish to find their way into the final days of the tournament. Last year, Isner ended Andy Roddick’s US Open run, solidifying himself as a future face of American tennis. Mardy Fish currently leads the Olympus series while Querrey is tied for third. In addition to these three watch out for Fernando Verdasco. The smooth lefty Spaniard is making a heated run leading up to this years US Open.

The Open always is a gem to watch. It truly caps the summer season, and this year, with the aforementioned circumstances, it will be no different. Action packed, grueling, and electric; this year will not disappoint. With the tournament only weeks away, all we can do is wait for the spectacle that is, the US Open. The tournament where dreams come true.

-Andrew Katz