The contenders: how will the top eight men’s seeds fare?

Updated 29/08/2015 at 17:34 GMT

Last year’s US Open final marked the first time since the Australian Open in 2005 that the names Djokovic, Federer and Nadal failed to feature in a Grand Slam showpiece.

Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer

Image credit: Eurosport

Marin Cilic powered past Kei Nishikori to clinch the 2014 title as the Big Four (incl. Andy Murray) were finally halted.

After another sapping season on the men’s circuit, will that surprise be repeated or will the big names return to triumph at Flushing Meashows?

We assess the top eight seeds' chances ahead of this year's tournament...

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No.1: Novak Djokovic (Serbia)

Can the Serb capture his third Grand Slam of 2015? Recent final defeats in Montreal and Cincinnati to chief rivals Andy Murray and Roger Federer respectively hinted at fatigue, but there is no greater competitor when the Majors come around. While a potential quarter-final showdown with Rafa Nadal probably won’t hold any fear, Djokovic will likely have to beat Federer or Murray to lift the trophy. After a long, gruelling season, it might be one challenge too far…

Novak Djokovic - Wimbledon 2015

Image credit: AFP

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No.2: Roger Federer (Switzerland)

Grand Slam No 18 is proving elusive, perhaps permanently so. Federer enters the US Open in scintillating form – but we said the same before Wimbledon, where he ran out of steam when it mattered, just two days after a crushing semi-final victory over Andy Murray. It’s the lingering question: can he eke across the finish line after seven five-set matches? His best bet, as always, is saving his 34-year-old frame by demolishing early opponents in straight sets. It still might not be enough.

Roger Federer, Wimbledon, 2012

Image credit: AFP

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No.3: Andy Murray (Great Britain)

Murray’s 2015: hugely impressive. Grand Slams won: zero. His consistency has seen him sail up the world rankings, but his ability to raise his level in the latter stages of Majors remains a weakness – ousted by Djokovic in Melbourne and Paris, eliminated by Federer at Wimbledon. Perhaps the most disappointing statistic: eight Grand Slam finals, just two victories. However, he enters the US Open in great form having ended his nasty losing run against Djokovic and should breeze into the last eight (assuming he emerges from a first round sledge-fest with Nick Kyrgios) where Stan Wawrinka should await before potential meeting with Federer and Djokovic. He’s got a shout.

Andy Murray kisses the US Open trophy after his triumph in 2012 (Reuters)

Image credit: Reuters

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No.4: Kei Nishikori (Japan)

A real dangerman. Last year’s runner-up, Nishikori has benefited hugely from working with new coach Michael Chang. His next challenge: add his name to the roll call of Grand Slam champions, with his best chance surely coming at Flushing Meadows once more. The fourth seed will likely have to depose of Djokovic and either Federer or Murray to lift the title, but that’s to be expected at this level. Now 25, he’s no longer up-and-coming and needs to confirm himself among the world’s best.

Kei Nishikori celebrates with the trophy after defeating John Isner of the United States in final during the Citi Open in Washington.

Image credit: AFP

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No.5: Stan Wawrinka (Switzerland)

Despite clinching a second Grand Slam title at Roland Garros in June, Wawrinka’s row with Nick Kyrgios has overshadowed his on-court achievements. Kyrgios made a lewd swipe at Wawrinka and his reported girlfriend at the Rogers Cup, prompting a warranted Twitter tirade from the Swiss star. It’s unclear what sort of form Wawrinka’s in – after his first Grand Slam triumph he disappeared for a year – but he has the components to challenge for the title.

Stan Wawrinka

Image credit: AFP

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No.6: Tomas Berdych (Czech Republic)

Has the weapons to challenge the top guns, but it never quite materialises on the biggest stage. His sole Grand Slam final ended with a straight sets defeat to Nadal in 2010; he hasn’t threatened a repeat trip since. A punishing serve troubles most, but the likes of Djokovic, Federer and Murray are some of the finest returners in the history of the sport and can quell his power. This bid seems destined to end in quarter-final defeat to the Swiss star.

Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic celebrates after winning his match against Pablo Andujar of Spain at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, July 4, 2015

Image credit: Reuters

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No.7: David Ferrer (Spain)

The perennial nearly man. Wonderful against opponents ranked below him; blunt against those above. It’s the plague that’s haunted Ferrer: able to consistently get the ball back in play, but unable to hurt the world’s best. A run to the latter stages beckons before his challenge reaches a predictable conclusion.

David Ferrer - Roland-Garros 2015

Image credit: AFP

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No.8: Rafael Nadal (Spain)

In a year that saw him dethroned at Roland Garros, it’s hard to envisage a speedy return to the tennis summit. No longer as brutal from the baseline, mediocre opponents have attacked the Spaniard – many finding success as Nadal’s joints ailed. He might be insisting that his game is better than his results, but it’s hard to foresee anything other than a quarter-final defeat to Djokovic.