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Rafael Nadal Seed/rank: 1/1 Age: 32 Country: Spain

2018 record: 40-3, 5 singles titles Career: 80 singles titles; 17 Grand Slams (U.S. Open 2010, 2013, 2017; Wimbledon 2008, 2010; French Open 2005-08, 2010-14, 2017-18; Australian Open 2009)

Notes: Won the U.S. Open as No. 1 seed in 2010, 2017. … Trying to become first man to repeat as champion in New York since Roger Federer won his fifth in a row in 2008 . ... Beat two past U.S. Open champions and two future stars en route to tuneup title at Toronto Masters this month.

Roger Federer Seed/rank: 2/2 Age: 37 Country: Switzerland

2018 record: 33-5, 3 titles

Career: 98 singles titles; 20 Grand Slams (U.S. Open 2004-08; Wimbledon 2003-07, 2009, 2012, 2017; Australian Open 2004, 2006-07, 2010, 2017-18; French Open 2009)

Notes: Only made it to the final at Flushing Meadows once in the decade since his last title. … Could face Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinals . ... Still has never played Nadal at the U.S. Open. If they meet this year, it would be for the title.

Juan Martin Del Potro Seed/rank: 3/3

Age: 29

Country: Argentina

2018 record: 37-10, 2 singles titles Career: 22 singles titles; 1 Grand Slam (U.S. Open 2009)

Notes: Playing in his 22nd major tournament since his lone such title. If he gets a second, he would set an Open era record for most Slam appearances before No. 2 . ... Biggest forehand in the game makes him ever-dangerous on hard courts. Just needs his oft-repaired left wrist to hold up on backhands.

Alexander Zverev Rank/seed: 4/4 Age: 21 Country: Germany

2018 record: 43-13, 3 singles titles Career: 9 singles titles Notes: Recently started working with Ivan Lendl, saying: “He’s a smart man, a great guy. Done it as a player, done it as a coach, so he knows what it takes.” ... Has won three Masters titles. Now it’s time to step up at a Grand Slam tournament and get to his first semifinal.

Novak Djokovic Seed/rank: 6/6 Age: 31 Country: Serbia

2018 record: 33-10, 2 singles titles Career: 70 singles titles; 13 Grand Slams (U.S. Open 2011, 2015; Wimbledon (2011, 2014-15, 2018; Australian Open 2008, 2011-13, 2015-16; French Open 2016)

Notes: Since starting the year 6-6, has gone 27-4. … Titles at Wimbledon and Cincinnati Masters (beating Federer in the final) make him a popular pick . ... Sure seems very close to being right back at his best after a lull caused at least in part by an injured right elbow.