It is time for the U.S Open, the last grand slam of the year. With the action already started and the players giving it their best shot to emerge supreme at the Flushing Meadows, all that the fans would be speculating is that whether there will be a change of crown this time or will it be defended by the respective winners.

Whatever may be the results after the extravaganza, what it does guarantee is that the tournament will be an action packed one and offer some high end tennis. U.S Open will see lot of world class players in action and here are few players who would start as the tournament favourites.

Here are the players to watch out for

Men:

Roger Federer: Federer was going through a rough phase for about two years when the great man could not get his hands on any of the Grand Slams. The winner of the highest number of Grand Slams finally broke the jinx this year with his seventh Wimbledon crown. Fedex has rediscovered his form and has been in sublime touch since then. He has also reclaimed the number 1 spot. He has won the silver in the Olympics and won the Cincinnati Masters before coming into the tournament. He does start as one of the best bet for the title.

Novak Djokovic: The former world number 1 is going through a pretty ordinary form this year and did not have much luck going into the Grand Slams prior to his Australian Open triumph. He has lost to Rafael Nadal in the French Open, could not qualify for the finals at the Wimbledon and even at the Cincinnati Masters ahead of the US Open lost to Federer in the finals. Odds are stacked up high against him, but then the former World number 1 will hardly be bogged by all these and will start as one of the strong contenders of the tournament.

Andy Murray: The big serving Scot has not yet tasted Grand Slam success but then his ability to perform at high intensity matches does make him a favourite. He was the runners-up at the Wimbledon 2012, and exacted his revenge at the Olympics at the same venue on Roger Federer. The highest ranked Great Britain player will be looking to win his first grand slam.

Juan del Potro: The big serving Argentine was not successful at the Grand Slams this year, but then he looks in pretty good form especially after defeating Novak Djokovic in the bronze medal game of the London Olympics. He will start as a force to reckon to in the game.

Women:

Serena Williams: The American powerhouse is going through a very great run in the tournament. After winning her 13th Grand Slam this year, she won the Olympic gold as well beating Maria Sharapova. Serena who was plagued by injury earlier this year is in great form and if she can replicate her performance from Wimbledon, it would be very hard for her competitors.

Kim Clijsters: The super mommy of professional tennis Clijsters is most likely to be playing in her last tournament, and she would want to end on a high. Winner of six grand slams including three here at the Flushing Meadows make her a real threat in the tournament. The former World number 1 has not been among the grand slam victories, but then she can very well win here considering her past records.

Maria Sharapova: The former World number Russian has had a mixed luck in this year so far. She won her fourth slam this year at the Roland Garros and was also the runners up at the Olympics while had disappointing outing in other grand slams. Her experience and knack at performing in Grand Slams make her one of the strong contenders of the event.

Victoria Azarenka: The current World number 1 tennis player started off her year with a victory at the Australian Open. But then she did not have a great show at the Grand Slams but still managed to hang on to her number 1 spot due to her performance at the WTA events. The bronze medallist at the London Games will look to end just the way she started.

Li Na: The top ranked Chinese player did not have a great outing in the grand slams this year but then she is fresh off her victory from Ohio last week and will definitely look to carry forward her winning run into the tournament.

By Indian Sports News Network