US Open 2019: Federer, Serena go for history – Flushing Meadows in Opta numbers
We take a look at the best Opta facts involving Roger Federer, Serena Williams, Novak Djokovic and Naomi Osaka ahead of the US Open.
The final grand slam tournament of the year is almost here, as the US Open begins at Flushing Meadows on Monday.
Novak Djokovic, the dominant force in men’s tennis, will hope to defend his title, while Naomi Osaka is looking to rediscover her best major form at the scene of her first triumph.
Meanwhile, veterans Roger Federer and Serena Williams have records in their sights in New York.
With the help of Opta, we take a look at the key numbers heading into this year’s US Open.
Men’s singles
4 – Djokovic has won four of the past five grand slams – Rafael Nadal claiming the only other title at this year’s French Open.
2 – World number one Djokovic is bidding to become just the second man, after Federer (2004 to 2008), to defend his Flushing Meadows title in the 21st century.
Walking into first practice @usopen pic.twitter.com/NMQx2sqiAl
— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) August 20, 2019
35 – The oldest men’s US Open champion in the Open Era was Ken Rosewall in 1970 at 35 years, 10 months and 11 days. Federer will be 38 at Flushing Meadows.
5 – Three men have won the tournament a record five times since the sport went professional: Jimmy Connors, Pete Sampras and Federer.
8 – Djokovic only has three US Open titles but has played the joint-most finals in the Open Era (eight, along with Ivan Lendl and Sampras).
0 – The US Open is the only one of the four men’s grand slams that has not seen a player claim the title without dropping a set in the Open Era.
61 – At least one of Djokovic, Federer or Nadal has made the semi-finals of every major since Wimbledon 2004, a streak of 61 tournaments.
Women’s singles
3 – Having won back-to-back majors in the shape of last year’s US Open and then the Australian Open, Osaka has not been past the third round at her past two grand slams, losing her opener at Wimbledon.
1 – But across the previous 16 grand slams, Osaka is the only female to have won consecutive titles.
33 – Williams, like Federer in the men’s tournament, is aiming to become the oldest women’s US Open champion of the Open Era at 37. The record belongs to 2015 champion Flavia Pennetta at 33 years, six months and 18 days.
The Serena serve…
@serenawilliams pic.twitter.com/yZeudqWjly
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 20, 2019
2 – Simona Halep could become the first European since Kim Clijsters (2010 US Open and 2011 Australian Open) to win consecutive grand slams.
24 – Williams has 23 grand slam crowns, the most of the Open Era, and another would see her draw level with all-time record holder Margaret Court.
10 – However, the American has not won any of the past 10 majors – her longest run without victory since 2002.
17 – The women’s championship has been won without dropping a set on 17 occasions in the Open Era, most recently by Williams in 2014.
