Top five male players to look forward to in the US Open 2021

Defending champion Dominic Thiem set to miss out on the tournament.

Due to a hectic year which included the Tokyo Olympics, many top players have announced their withdrawal from the US Open. The list includes former champions like Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Stan Wawrinka and defending champion Dominic Thiem.

However, the the quality of superstars we will get to witness at Flushing Meadows has not been compromised. There will be substantial talent on display in the coming weeks at the US Open. Here, we take a look at five male players who might end up being the highlight of the upcoming event.

5. Pablo Carreno Busta

The 10th seed Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta could be the dark-horse of the tournament. He has been a former two time semi finalist here at the US Open and coming off with a huge win against World No 1 Novak Djokovic in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

That victory earned him a bronze medal and stopped Novak from his undefeated run this year. Busta also has a very impressive win ratio at the US Open at 72% making him quite a strong contender for the title.

4. Stefanos Tsitsipas

World No. 3 seed Stefanos Tsitsipas needs no introduction. The talented Greek is a player to watch out for in any tournament. Tsitsipas' all- court style and powerful ground stroke winners make him a formidable opponent at the US Open. Add to that his topspin rate which he uses to pull opponents off the court to hit winners.

So far Tsitsipas hasn't made it beyond the third round in the US Open. But, he has been in really good nick this year. A semi-final and final appearance at the Australian Open and French Open respectively this year have made it quite evident that a title opportunity isn't very far away. Now, if he can keep this up it might be the first time we get to see a Greek US Open singles winner.

3. Daniil Medvedev

Daniil Medvedev would be desperately looking to right the wrong of his 2019 defeat at the hands of Rafael Nadal. That night he fell short after a thrilling 5-set encounter with the Spaniard. Last year he exited at the hands of Dominic Thiem in the semi-final. The so close and yet so far tryst between Medvedev and the US Open has continued over the years.

But, the Russian should not be deterred as he has the best win percentage at the US Open of all his other Grand Slam exploits. It's just a matter of finding the right time and moment, which will eventually pave the way for the American's glory.

2. Alexander Zverev

The runner-up from last year Alexander Zverev has been very consistent this year as well racking up quarter final, semi final and fourth round finishes at the previous three Grand Slams. However the best achievement of his career came at this year's Tokyo Olympics. Zverev won gold for his country and became the first German to do so in singles competition.

Zverev will definitely look to capitalize on his form and make the most of it. The German would definitely look to light up the courts with his aggressive baseline shots.

1.Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic is certainly the man who can do no wrong at this point in time. His run at the Grand Slams this year has been totally free of blemishes. He has won the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon titles this year.

If he wins the US Open he will become the second man in the Open Era (after Rod Laver in 1969) to achieve a calendar grand slam. With some of the top competitors already sidelined with injuries the task becomes easier for him.

Djokovic is the only player in the men's tournament 2021 roster apart from Croatia's Marin Cilic to hold a US Open title. So he has that extensive championship experience and knowledge.

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