2005 US OPEN - WEDNESDAY 7TH SEPTEMBER

Prime time in NYC, what a match this should be. Agassi was pushed to five sets by Malisse in the last round, but his back looks to be holding up okay so there don't look to be any fitness issues coming into this one. The 35-year old has ten years on his opponent but a lot more experience on the big stage. Blake is in some career best form and has nothing to lose, but one must remember that he is just 4-25 against top-10 opponents (1-5 in the Slams) and and a poor 0-5 in five-setters.

2005 US OPEN - TUESDAY 6TH SEPTEMBER

Two lefties meet, both looking to venture into unchartered waters at Grand Slam level. It's worth noting that Nieminen (13-8) has a slightly better record against fellow lefties than Verdasco (8-7). The Spaniard has never won four consecutive matches on hardcourts ATP level and while he posses the more dangerous service weapon, he also is a little less consistent and more error prone. Nieminen, a former junior champion here, is comfortable in the conditions and with an excellent 8-3 five set record (Verdasco is 2-2), he is over the odds.

2005 US OPEN - SUNDAY 4TH SEPTEMBER

Srichaphan played very well against Davydenko in the last round but the Russian certainly made his fair share of unforced errors as a contributing factor. Sanguinetti continues his renaissance this year and looks to match up well with the Thai. He has a 3-0 head-to-head record, including a straight sets win here when Srichaphan was emerging on the tour back in 2001. He wont give the Thai too much pace to work with and when Srichaphan has to go for a little too much is when the errors flow. He'll get the majority of the crowd support but I'm not sure that it will be enough.

Hrbaty has a far superior hardcourt record to his name, but David Ferrer has absolutely dominated Hrbaty in their last three meetings - including a hardcourt meeting on the slower Miami hardcourt earlier in the year. Ferrer had not been past the second round of a slam outside the French prior to here so he is in unchartered waters so to speak and he is giving up a lot of Grand Slam experience. The Spaniard has had a great season on the dirt, but I'm not convinced that he should be a favourite on a hardcourt up against a player of Hrbaty's experience.

Nieminen didn't have much of lead-up to the US Open, but he looks like he could be playing well enough to cause the 'Beast' a few problems today. Mirnyi looks to be playing solid enough himself after coming through a dangerous encounter with Serra in the last round, but I cant overlook his overall hardcourt and Grand Slam history. Nieminen plays well when under pressure and has a great five-set record should this go the distance. He certainly looks to have the value on his side today.

2005 US OPEN - SATURDAY 3RD SEPTEMBER

I found it very hard to separate these two. Grosjean has been playing slightly better tennis in the lead-up, but Robredo has a superior record here and a 3-1 head-to-head advantage (albeit none have been played on outdoor hardcourts). Everything points to a close encounter, so the value looks to lie with the Spaniard.

2005 US OPEN - FRIDAY 2ND SEPTEMBER

The 19-year old Almagro made a successful US Open debut against Carlsen and while he lifts a class or two today, I'm giving him a decent chance today. The Spaniard wont have had much experience playing against a serve and volley game, but he more than makes up for any inexperience with his sheer enthusiasm. The coach-less Dent has a massive service advantage but he can be a little predictable at times. If this one goes the distance it will be interesting to see how his fitness holds up against the youngster.

The 'Beast' Mirnyi has promised a lot over the years but he continues to disappoint at the Slams. He took his opportunities against Gimelstob in the first round but I'm tipping the younger and fiery Serra to push him all the way. The Frenchman was impressive in knocking out Koubek in the opening round and should be able to pass the advancing Belarusian more often than not.

Can't see Gonzalez winning this in a hurry as Tursunov has a very good serve. The Russian-American has a solid record on hardcourts and is certainly no stranger to posting upset wins. Gonzalez is having a great year but he is still not the most consistent going around on a hardcourt. Looks a big danger game if Tursunov is fully fit.

2005 US OPEN - THURSDAY 1ST SEPTEMBER

Blake is in some stunning form having backed up his win last week at New Haven with a polished display against Rusedski in the first round. He'll need to give this one his full attention however. Andreev will appreciate the prime-time spotlight and has nothing to lose. His game can get a little ragged at times, but he is a heavy hitter who on his day can beat anyone. The rowdy night time crowd will have an impact, but it might put too much pressure on the American.

Both players will be full of confidence after cruising through the first round. Bjorkman has qualified here so he is on a bit of a run and has played very well here at stages over his career. He must overcome a 1-5 head-to-head record against Youzhny but he has the experience on his side. The Russian looks to be playing into some form after a tough start to the year and I can't see him winning this easily.

Solid first round win from Saulnier who came here with some dreadful yet slightly improving form. He'll take forward some confidence and has nothing to lose here. There hasn't been much in it when these two have met previously and while Ljubicic must be favoured, he is certainly not the most reliable type going around.

Guillermo Coria to bt V Spadea

Spadea had the goods to get past Weiner on Tuesday in his best win for a while, but this represents a very tough match-up. He has been comfortably beaten in previous matches with Coria and its hard to see this being any different.

Richard Gasquet to bt G Galimberti

A bit wary about taking the short prices on the relatively inexperienced Frenchman, but he should have far too much class here.

Mariano Puerta to bt S Wawrinka

Puerta is coming off a freakish clay season this year and he has been priced up a little short recently given his prior aversion to hardcourts. Wawrinka is coming off a five-set marathon however and will need all his fitness to get past the hard running Argentine.

Tommy Robredo to bt G Kuerten

'Guga' went for broke and landed more than he missed in the first round against Goldstein but it's very hard to see him get past the more consistent backcourter in Robredo. The Spaniard has thrashed Kuerten twice already this year on clay and it will take a massive effort on the Brazilian's behalf to avoid it happening again today.

2005 US OPEN - TUESDAY 30TH AUGUST

Very tough match for the out of form Henman to face especially as he is defending a semi-final showing here last year. The Brit has been terribly out of touch since his early Wimbledon exit and will surely have his confidence tested today. Verdasco had four matches at New Haven last week to prepare and clearly enjoys the conditions here.

Can't see there being too much in this one at the end of the day. Mirnyi has had a disappointing lead-up and it's fair to say that his best results in recent times have come on surfaces other than hardcourts. And although he has posted his best Grand Slam result here (QF in '02), his record in the Slams is poor. The journeyman Gimelstob took Gonzalez to three sets last week at New Haven and I expect him to lift for this one.

The in-form Brit overcame his wildcard snub by qualifying without dropping a set. He is riding high at the moment no question, and while Pavel is not setting the world on fire, I expect him to lift for the Slam and use his experience to good measure. Let's not forget that Murray is only playing his second main draw in a Grand Slam and there are still some question marks over his fitness level.

I expect the Sanguinetti renaissance to continue today. The Italian veteran has been much more competitive in the lead-up and on form should take this one out. Arthurs has lost in the first round in each of his last four appearances here while his game remains very predictable.

The number one seed in quallies Robin Vik came through very impressively by all reports to continue a year in which he holds a 48-15 record in combined challenger-ATP events. Ollie Rochus has had mixed success on hardcourts recently and while he always gives 110% he is not winning anymore than half of his matches on this surface so he looks a genuine risk here.

Nikolay Davydenko to bt T Zib

Zib can grind away but I cant see him beating Davydenko at his own game here. The Russian has been in stellar form this year and while I think it will be hard to back it up in the latter part of the season, this looks straightforward enough.

Paul Goldstein to bt G Kuerten

Kuerten has not played since Sopot (clay) earlier in the month and by his own admission is still not anywhere near his peak fitness. He hasn't played a hardcourt match since his first round loss to Pless here last year. Goldstein has a good serve and huge amount of experience on the North American hardcourts.

Nicolas Kiefer to bt J Vanek

Kiefer has played some solid tennis in the lead-up and up against Vanek, who will be first-up on the surface and 0-3 at Flushing Meadows, its hard to see him having too many problems.

Fabrice Santoro to bt J Melzer

The Frenchman's better lead-up should see him through here. Melzer has the talent to beat just about anyone on his day, but his form is dreadful and it must be noted that he withdrew from the doubles event last week citing shoulder problems.

2005 US OPEN - MONDAY 29TH AUGUST

The 22-year old Summerer's best results have come on clay at challenger level in the past few years, but in the few events he has played on faster surfaces, he has been very competitive. He qualified for his first US Open with solid wins over Saretta and Lu and he'll have nothing to lose today. Ljubicic has posted first round losses to Dent and Santoro at the two lead-up Masters Series and does not have a terrific Grand Slam record. He looks a genuine risk today.

Bracciali has backed up his stunning grass form with a final and semi-final in two hardcourt challenger appearances in the US Open lead-up. He also qualified here so he'll be match-fit and well acclimatised to the conditions. Robredo has a decent record here but his form in the two Masters Series events was average to say the least and I don't think he has looked comfortable all year.

Okun came through a fairly tough section of qualifying and while he went to three sets in each match, his form looks solid. He boasts a very good record on North American hardcourts - albeit mainly at Challenger level - but has posted wins over Malisse and Hernych in the lead-up. Puerta is having a stand out year on the dirt, but this one is played on a hardcourt and one that usually plays fast. His record in the Slams excluding the French Open, is just 2-11, including losses in his last seven starts dating back to '99.

This match looks to be in Malisse's hands. He has the class to win handsomely, but Hernych is a solid type who can play a relatively error free style of game. The Czech has been on North American hardcourts for four weeks in the lead-up so he should be well prepared. Malisse has had some mixed form lately so I find him some sort of risk at these prices.

Saulnier broke a twelve-match losing streak against Stanislas Wawrinka last week at New Haven. He proceeded to lose to Srichaphan in a two tiebreakers in the next round, so it's fair to say that his confidence is not at an all-time high at present. He did beat Rusedski here last year in a marathon first round match but he is just 2-5 at the US Open. Tipsarevic has posted qualifying losses to Hernych and Knowle in the lead-up. He doesn't look to be at his best, but you can be sure that he will be giving this everything and must have the value.

George Bastl to bt S Jenkins

The promising Junior Scoville Jenkins notched up his first ATP-level win last week against an out of sorts Nieminen but a rise to main draw slams so soon might be asking too much. The qualifier Bastl is not getting any younger but he does have a wealth of Grand Slam experience to fall back on and his form of late has been more than acceptable.

T Johansson to  bt M Zabaleta

Johansson has a solid 14-6 record here and has a big service advantage on what are generally regarded as the fastest hardcourts on tour. Zabaleta will be a little rusty first-up on hardcourt after suffering a foot injury in Sopot last month.

Jiri Novak to bt D Norman

Novak has dropped a level or two this year and looks to be having some motivational issues at ATP level, but he should have few problems getting up for this. Norman has a decent serve but will struggle to match the Czech's solid back court game.

J-I Chela to bt R Soderling

Soderling is just 2-6 on hardcourts this year. Apart from a tournament win on carpet in February, his form has been very ordinary. Chela has gone 9-5 by playing all five lead-up tournaments so he'll be very match fit and much more favoured to come out on top in the best of five conditions.