Tracy Austin

What a difference one year makes for Roger Federer.

We have come to expect such great things from the perennial champion that when he came to New York in 2008 with runner-up finishes at the French Open and Wimbledon, a semifinal finish at the Australian Open and two tour titles, many wondered if his career was in its decline.

His U.S. Open victory salvaged that season and gave him momentum for what has turned into a spectacular 2009 campaign.

Not only is Federer now married and the proud father of healthy twin girls, but he also claimed the French Open title that previously had eluded him so painfully, became just the sixth man ever with a career Grand Slam and earned his record-setting 15th major title.

Going for his sixth straight U.S. Open title and enjoying a fairly advantageous draw, Federer undeniably is the force to be reckoned with this time around. That's especially true considering the amount of time Rafael Nadal has missed this season due to lingering knee injuries.

Tennis has benefited from the lively contests between the Swiss star and Majorcan master, competitors who couldn't be more different in playing style and dress but who share the same desire to be the best and the talent to get there. Although they are in different halves of the draw, it's unlikely that the U.S. Open will be the stage for the next chapter of their rivalry.

The No. 3 seed in New York, Nadal will be challenged from the very first round with a matchup against unseeded Richard Gasquet. His quarter of the draw also contains two other talented Frenchmen, No. 7 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and No. 13 Gael Monfils, each of whom have the athleticism and talent to give Nadal a tough time on the court.

Nadal can clinch his own career Grand Slam with a U.S. Open championship, but it will be difficult for him to accomplish that feat this year. Not only are his injury woes major concerns, but he's also on the same side of the draw as the talented No. 2 Andy Murray.

Beating Nadal in the semifinals of last year's U.S. Open was a major turning point in Murray's career. One year later, he no longer has the mentality that making it to the finals is achievement enough; winning a major title is his primary motivation. Mentally, emotionally and physically, he's kicked himself and his tennis game into a higher gear.

Slideshow   Record performances Take a look at players who have put themselves in the U.S. Open record books. NBCSports.com

Murray is looking stronger and stronger, and his confidence is growing all the time. He's worked extremely hard to improve his strength and endurance, a focus that has paid off with five titles so far this season, including one in Rogers Cup action in Montreal. Murray's hard court record this season is one of the best on the ATP Tour.

Since hiring Larry Stefanki as his coach at the end of last season, Andy Roddick has resurrected his tennis career. Losing weight and rededicating himself to the game, the American came up just short against Federer at Wimbledon in a classic battle. The Roddick who played at the U.S. Open last year wouldn't have had a real shot at beating either Federer or Novak Djokovic in his half of the draw. This year, if he can move as well and play at the level he showed at Wimbledon, Roddick can topple either one.

His heartbreak at London showed just how much Roddick wants to win another Grand Slam title. In fact, he might be feeling more pressure to win the U.S. Open than Federer.

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