Five players that need to perform at US Open 2017

Almost every ‘big’ player has struggled at some point in 2017, but some have struggled more than others. From top seeds trying to silence the naysayers, to men and women desperate to salvage a disappointing season, these are the five players who need a good showing at the 2017 US Open.

Rafael Nadal

Returning to the No.1 ranking, Rafa is 49-9 on the year with three titles and a Gram Slam (his 10th at Roland Garros). After three years of nagging injuries he’s returned to his trademark best; heavy topspin, lethal lefty forehands, poised volleys and the hunger of a rabid dog.

So why is the pressure on him?

It’s the elephant in the room: he’s only elite on clay. From Rafa’s nine losses this year, eight have been on hard or grass courts. With his weak knees and the fast nature of hard surfaces inhibiting his defensive game, Nadal has his work cut out for him to prove he really is the best player in tennis.

He doesn’t have to win the title in NY – a QF appearance would be acceptable – but a first or second round flame out will add fuel to the ‘Rafa’s-only good-on–clay’ fire.

Roadblocks to the final: R4 Fognini [22] > QF Goffin [9] > SF Federer [2]

RELATED: Woodbridge – Why Roger & Rafa are back on top

Agnieszka Radwanska

After finishing 2016 ranked No.3 with a whopping 53 tour wins, Aga was primed to be this year’s Best Player Not Named Serena Williams. And when Serena dropped out, many experts touted her to be the best player – period.

Instead, the Pole slipped to No.10 behind a dismal 17-13 record and watched the much younger and mentally stronger Garbine Muguruza ascend up the ladder.

Radwanksa has been rightfully frustrated by an ongoing foot ailment but first round stinkers in Connecticut and Stuttgart are inexcusable for a player of her calibre.

Roadblocks to the final: R4 Kuznetsova [8] > QF Pliskova [1] > SF Svitolina [4]

Gael Monfils

For all the buzz around his ball-bashing, Monfils’ game is only successful if the defensive stuff is there. This year it hasn’t been. At all. So when you see him play like this it’s easy to be misled because most of 2017  has been tapping back softies that any player worth his salt swallows up.

This year the Frenchman has dropped 15 ranking spots to No.22 with no titles and only one final appearance. At age 30, he can either go two ways: find form with a strong US Open run or lose to a less-talented player and have many worried that his career is cooked.

He made the SF at last year’s US Open so you’re not crazy to back him in.

Roadblocks to the final: R4 Dimitrov [7] > QF Nadal [1] > SF Federer [2]

Related: US Open 2017: Everything you need to know

Dominika Cibulkova

Considering Cibulkova’s only 28, it’s been quite strange to see her perform so poorly in 2017. Much like Radwanksa, Domi was primed to take a stranglehold over the women’s tour but inconsistent returns, sloppy serves and a bum wrist nosedived those aspirations.

The tiny Slovakian has a meagre .528 win percentage and no titles to her name. She’s at her best when playing with a chip on her shoulder so hopefully the threat of a career in limbo can reignite the fire that saw her finish inside the top 5 last year. Making the final at New Haven is a good start.

Roadblocks to the final: R4 Konta [7] > QF Halep [2] > SF Muguruza [3]

RELATED: Woodbridge – Wozniacki & Halep need to step up

Simona Halep

It’s a little strange to say someone ranked No.2 in the world needs to perform but such is the nature of Simona Halep. On paper her year has been stellar; 39-12, a title in Madrid and Roland Garros runner-up.

But it’s the Romanian’s performances under pressure that have earned her the devastating ‘choker’ label. She hasn’t won a Grand Slam, has only made two finals, and missed the opportunity to go world No.1 three times (so far). At age 25, she simply must do better. It’s the way she loses, too. In the final of Cincinnati Halep copped a 6-1 6-0 drubbing to Muguruza, a woman who is two years younger with two majors to her name, and in the semifinal of Toronto she lost badly to 22-year-old Elina Svitlona 6-1 6-1.

Halep faces former world No.1 Maria Sharapova in the first round of the US Open. A woman renowned for her mental fortitude. A woman who is desperate to prove herself to the tennis world. A woman who Halep’s been very critical of and never beaten. It’s a match that will be played on the brightest of lights, so how will Simona perform?

Roadblocks to the final: R4 Sevastova [16] > QF Konta [7] > SF Muguruza [3]