It goes without saying that the US Open marked a terrific run for both winner Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer, but there were so many other narratives that ran throughout the tournament, featuring shock exits and surprising runs. We take a look at some of them here.
Positive Opens
Feliciano Lopez: Soon to join Roger Federer at thirty-four years of age on September 20th, Lopez matched his best-ever run at the US Open by reaching the quarter-finals for a third time. Impressive wins over Raonic and Fognini, and taking eventual champion Djokovic to four sets.
Marin Cilic: Despite not being able to repeat as champion, a little perspective would suggest that his semi-final run, for just the third time in his career in all Slams makes for a good Open. Playing with an injury, he made hard work of Mikhail Kukushkin and Jo Wilfried Tsonga, before falling to Djokovic.
Donald Young: Came into the Open with poor form, but competed much higher than his ranking. He lost in Round 4 to Stan Wawrinka, but twice coming back from two set deficits against seeds Gilles Simon and Viktor Troicki was massively impressive.
Benoit Paire: Another to shock two seeds in Tommy Robredo and Kei Nishikori. His win over Nishikori after going down two- sets-to-one will live long in the memory for fans of the Frenchman.
Kevin Anderson: An immensely popular player on tour, many will be relieved to see Big Kev finally break into the quarter-finals. He had fallen seven times at the fourth round hurdle before his victory over Andy Murray.
Disappointing Opens
Andy Murray: His defeat to Anderson marked his earliest exit at any Slam since the US Open of 2010, excluding events he did not play. A final and two semis though still makes this a good year, and there is still a chance of Davis Cup glory.
Milos Raonic: The big-serving Canadian will have hoped for better than just a third round performance. He negotiated the tough Fernando Verdasco in the second round, but was upset by Feliciano Lopez in the third.
Grigor Dimitrov: The Bulgarian will be mightily disappointed to have bowed out in the second round to Mikhail Kukushkin. A disappointing year all around after a positive 2014.
Kei Nishikori: Last year’s finalist suffered a shock early exit to Benoit Paire. Has not seemed right since the French Open.
David Ferrer: Perhaps not at the same levels that saw him as a consistent quarter-finalist at the very least, he would still have expected to beat Jeremy Chardy of France in round 3.
Rafael Nadal: The first year since 2004 that Rafa has not won a Grand Slam. His worst performance at the US Open since 2007, excluding 2012 and 2014, when he did not play
Farewell to: Lleyton Hewitt, Mardy Fish and Jarkko Nieminen, who have all announced that the 2015 US Open was to be the last time they competed in Flushing Meadows. Tommy Haas has indicated that 2015 might have been his last Open.
Juniors: The Boys Singles Final will have made heartening viewing for home fans, as it was contested by two Americans. The victor was Taylor Harry Fritz 6-2,6-7, 6-2 over Tommy Paul. Both have already made strides on the pro circuit. Fritz has scored wins over Pablo Carreno Busta and Dudi Sela, whilst Paul qualified for the main draw of the Open with a highlight win over Blaz Rola, before falling to Andreas Seppi in the first round. Hope for the future of American tennis.
