U.S. Open 2008: Can you feel the heat already?

It's the fourth and final Grand Slam of the year 2008.

Men's Singles
Have you check out the draw yet? Personally, I think Roger Federer has a better draw compare to Rafael Nadal. I would love to see the two along with Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray in the semifinals.

If Andy Murray is able to achieve that far (he never made it through the quarterfinal in any Grand Slam before), he could improve his ranking from the current world no. 6 to world no. 4, provided how well David Ferrer (current world no. 4) and Nikolay Davydenko (no. 5) perform.

There has been much said about Juan Martin Del Potro for his recent winning streak, I'm still not convinced about his performance. I mean this guy has never really been tested on heavyweight matches like the U.S. Open. Same goes to Jo-Wilfred Tsonga who last made impact at the Australian Open earlier this year. So, I don't really see these guys as a threat to the top seeds.

For the complete men's singles draw, click here.

Women's Singles
While the women's draw looks pretty imbalanced, Dinara Safina could miss a chance here to win the U.S. Open being in the tough top half of the draw. Perhaps another rematch here between Safina and Elena Dementieva in the final? While I'm pretty confident with Safina's consistency, could one half of the Williams sisters perform well here on their homegrown?

Ana Ivanovic is back as the world no.1 and top seed. She has recovered from her thumb injury too. However, she has not been playing for weeks now. So, I believe she's not physically ready to take on the other girls yet especially she belongs to the top half of the draw. It's going to be another short stay for her as the world no. 1 again. As for Maria Sharapova, she's out due to shoulder injury.

For the complete women's singles draw, click here.

It's Always about the Shirtless Guys
Any great tennis tournament is never complete without seeing players practicing, especially when they are shirtless, isn't it? And I don't mean the women players of course. Here are some pictures for your eyes only.

Tommy Haas, one of the sexiest guy in men's tennis.

Tommy Robredo; Why are all the sexy tennis players named Tommy?

David Ferrer has to perform or see Andy Murray surpass him in the world ranking.

Will Marat Safin be able to repeat his outstanding performance in the recent Wimbledon?

(Images via U.S. Open website and andymurray.com)

James Blake at the Heineken Premium Light Tennis Event

James Blake is a busy now. Here he attended the Heineken Premium Light Tennis Event at the outdoor of World Financial Center New York.

For 17 years, Heineken USA has helped support the U.S. Open tennis tournaments and has formed a new relationship with James Blake.

Blake hosted this charity event and will appear on U.S. Open ads and Heineken Premium Light in-store signs.

James Blake, Christian McMahan(CMO Heineken) and Brian Citron (Sr.Brand Director Heineken)

Heineken presented Blake with a $10,000 donation to the Thomas Blake Sr. Memorial Cancer Research Fund at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Heineken is also sponsoring Heineken Premium Light Hat Night for fans on Aug. 30.

(Via Black Tennis Pro's)

What's Cooking?: Andy Roddick & James Blake at the 9th Annual BNP Paribas Taste of Tennis

Andy Roddick and James Blake attended the 9th annual "BNP Paribas Taste of Tennis" event before the start of the U.S. Open.

Roddick was cooking with Food Network host Ingrid Hoffmann while Blake with Gotham Bar & Grill chef Alfred Portale.


(Via U.S. Open site)

Roger Federer, Serena Williams & Maria Sharapova at the Nike's 21 Mercer St. Block Party

Yesterday Nike Sportswear commemorated the opening of 21 Mercer Street by hosting an invite only block party. Mercer street was transformed into a stadium-like environment.

At precisely 9:21 PM Roger Federer and Spike Lee opened the doors for the first time to the public. Nike also invited their other old friends, including Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova.

Mr. Lee introduced Mr. Federer to the crowd as "the world's greatest tennis player." To which the tennis player awkwardly responded, "I'm Roger Federer, that's me."

At the opening, Williams said,

"There has been no relaxing for me, I've been playing every day, literally," she said about getting ready for the U.S. Open. But at least she has something to look forward to after the next couple of weeks."

"Fashion Week is right after the tournament so I look forward to going there, I love it," said Ms. Williams. "I'll have two weeks off so it is definitely like a vacation for me."

In the meanwhile Sharapova, who will be sitting out the U.S. Open due to an ongoing shoulder injury, was asked if she's in New York to cheer on her tennis peers from the stands.

She said, "No, no, definitely not," she said. "I'm just here to work with my brands and to do things that I already had planned to do for a couple of days, and then I'm going back."

So Sharapova won't be watching the U.S. Open at all?

No, I won't. Unless I'm working out and it happens to be on TV, I might catch it, but I don't plan to watch it. I have so many things going on in my life, and this is a good time for me to work on all of the projects I'm working on."

"I didn't even know (the draw) came out!" she said, laughing. "To be honest, the day I got injured was the day that I was like, I'm not even sure who's playing."

Sharapova night not be interested with the U.S. Open but she'll definitely check out the Fashion Week instead.

(Via New York Observer, Nike.com)