Posted Friday August 27, 2010, About: SI.com's 2010 U.S. Open Predictions

Federer will win it if Nadal gets taken down before the finals (or doesn't play exceptionally well in the finals), and a player like Andy Murray doesn't serve like he did at the Rogers Cup. Federer at his best can beat just about anyone, with perhaps the exception of Nadal at his best, returning everything either down the line or cross court for a winner all while chasing the ball off the court, and the now retired Marat Safin at his best. Federer's 'weakness' is his penchant for participating in extended baseline rallies When the other player is in the zone and doesn't miss, Fed often ends up losing them, either by missing himself or taking too long to find the angle he wants for a winner, instead getting one blown past him, either by a strong flat forehand or a crisp two-handed backhand. Fortunately for Fed, no one is as consistently 'good' as he is, and his level of 'good' can beat just about anyone not playing at their finest in a 5 set match.