Men to watch

RAFAEL NADAL

Ranked: 1Age: 31Country: Spain Career Singles Titles :73

Major Titles: 15— U.S. Open(’10, ’13), FrenchOpen(’05, ’06, ’07, ’08, ’10, ’11, ’12, ’13, ’14, ’17), Wimbledon(’08, ’10), Australian Open (’09)

Aces: Winning 33 percent ofhis return games this season, second-highest rate on ATP Tour .... Back a top the rankings for thef ifirst time since 2014.

Topspin: Playing at an elite level this season so should get to quarter fifinals— or better— at Flushing Meadows for fifirst time since 2013.... Still has never faced Roger Fed er er at U.S. Open.

ROGERFEDERER

Ranked: 3Age: 36Country: Switzerland Career Singles Titles :93

MajorTitles: 19— U.S. Open(’04, ’05, ’06, ’07, ’08), Wimbledon(’03, ’04, ’05, ’06, ’07, ’09, ’12, ’17), Australian Open(’04, ’06, ’07, ’10, ’17), FrenchOpen(’09)

Aces: Back in New York after missing the tournament a year ago while taking off ff the last half of the season tole this surgical ly repaired left knee heal.

Topspin: Sat out a hard-court tune up in Ohio after tweaking his back. If he’s fifine, lookout. If not, it’s too much to ask for him tow in his fifirst U.S. Open title inn early a decade.

ALEXANDERZVEREV

Ranked: 6Age: 20Country: Germany Career Singles Titles :6

MajorTitles: 0— Best: 4th, Wimbledon(’17)

Aces: TiedwithFederer formost titles in2017. ... Establishing himselfas thesport’s“Next BigThing.”

Topspin: After showing he can win a Masters title and competewith the elite, onethingremains toaccomplish: a deeprunatamajor tournament.

MARINCILIC

Ranked: 7Age: 28Country: Croatia Career Singles Titles :17

MajorTitles: 1— U.S. Open(’14)

Aces: Runner-up fifi ni sh at Wimbledon proved he is fifi rm ly in the group of players right behind the Big 4.

Topspin: Hasn’t played since dealing with afoot blister in loss toFedererat AllEnglandClub, sounclearwhat sort of contenderhe’llbe.

NICKKYRGIOS

Ranked: 18Age: 22Country: Australia Career Singles Titles :3

MajorTitles: 0— Best: quarterfifinals, AustralianOpen(’15), Wimbledon(’14)

Aces: Seems to have recovered from hip problem that bothered him at Wimbledon .... Advanced to fifi na lin Ohio this month, includingupset ofNadal.

Topspin: Has the game to succeed in New York and the charisma to become a fan favorite.