Aug 30-Sep 12 Flushing Meadows ---------------------------------- U.S. Open 2021: Men’s preview PLAYERS TO WATCH Novak Djokovic could become the first man to complete the Grand Slam – by winning all four majors in a single season – since Rod Laver in 1969. Defending champion Dominic Thiem has withdrawn from this year’s U.S. Open through injury ---------------------------------- Novak Djokovic Aims to bounce back after bid for Golden Slam ended with loss to Zverev at Tokyo Olympics ---------------------------------- Daniil Medvedev Finalist in 2019. Ruthless on this surface, racked up 11th hard court title in Toronto ---------------------------------- Stefanos Tsitsipas Roland Garros finalist pushing for maiden major – semi-finalist at both Toronto and Cincinnati ---------------------------------- Alexander Zverev Unbeaten in 11 matches. Suffered painful five-set loss to Thiem in 2020 final ---------------------------------- PLAYER RECORD Djokovic Medvedev Tsitsipas Zverev 2021 win-loss 38-5 40-10 48-14 38-11 2021 titles 4 3 2 4 Career titles (total) 85 12 7 17 Grand Slams 20 0 0 0 ---------------------------------- BIG THREE COMPARED: With rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal injured, Djokovic can edge ahead in Slam count with 21st major title ---------------------------------- Australian Open Roland Garros Wimbledon U.S. Open ---------------------------------- Federer Nadal Djokovic 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 ---------------------------------- Federer Nadal Djokovic 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 ---------------------------------- Federer Nadal Djokovic 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 ---------------------------------- All three tied at 20 majors apiece going into U.S. Open ---------------------------------- Source: ATP Picture: Getty Images © GRAPHIC NEWS