Jack Haugh - VAVEL Tennis UK Editor in Chief
Men's Winner - Novak Djokovic
For the first time in my VAVEL career I find myself backing another man than Andy Murray. Whilst Murray may have finally usurped the dominant world number one for the first time in eight attempts at the Rogers Cup, the consistent form of Djokovic proves too compounding. Having won two grand slams already this calander year, and only beaten by a scintillating Stan Wawrinka in the French Open final, the man from Serbia has routinely found the extra gear to keep himself ahead of the chasing pack.
As he seeks to win his tenth grand slam and put his stamp on the world number one spot, it will truly take a titanic effort from one of his rivals to snatch the grand slam from his grasp.
Murray and Roger Federer would be the two prime candidates to do just that, and by being in the same half of the draw, they are on course for a semi final showdown to decided who would get that chance. Assuming this was to be the case and it was one of the two in the final versus Djokovic - although sport rarely ever goes to plan - could either of them beat Djokovic? Murray did it less than two weeks ago but Djokovic in a grand slam is a completely different beast.
Women's Winner - Serena Williams
Not really much can be said about the sensational Serena Williams that hasn't already been said. She is dominant, a warrior and probably the best player of all time. A win in New York would complete the much touted 'Serena Slam' and although she has often steered away from the subject, the inevitability of it ensures the subject is likely to not go away.
Simona Halep and Maria Sharapova - although a defeat to Serena Williams should they meet is even more inevitable than the Serena Slam - may be the only pair who could push the American but with both holding awful records against her, their challenge is likely to be swatted aside.
Amee Ruszkai - VAVEL Tennis Writer
Men's Winner - Andy Murray
It's been a slow-burning 2015 for Britain's Andy Murray and as it comes to a close, his form is getting better and better. Murray is playing the best tennis of his career once again, which was marked by a victory over world number one Novak Djokovic in the Rogers Cup final, breaking an eight match losing streak against the Serb, which goes back two years to when Murray won Wimbledon.
Add to this a victory on clay over master of the surface Rafael Nadal, a title in Munich on the same type of court, one which has always been his weakest, and victory at Queen's, as well as two Grand Slam semi-finals and a final, and it has been a successful year for the Brit, with a win in New York the perfect way to round this off, a Grand Slam title the only thing missing from a superb 2015.
Djokovic will obviously be the favourite, sitting pretty at the top of the rankings, as he has been for many years now, looking to follow up his victories at Wimbledon and the Australian Open with a another win Stateside to make up for the disappointment of losing the French Open title, the only one he is left to collect, to Stan Wawrinka.
Roger Federer and Nadal may be dark horses in the running, whilst defending champion Marin Cilic's name is bound to be thrown up due to him clinching the title last year, but, in reality, it is going to be a case of either Murray or Djokovic - and with the former having broke his duck against the latter this month, he will be confident of winning this battle.
Flowing with self belief having exorcised his demons in the illustrious rivalry, Murray doesn't just carry the physical tools to beat Djokovic now, but also the mentality to use these appropriately and apply each weapon where necessary - something which has prevented him from beating his opponent in recent years.
It will be by no means easy, but if Murray comes into the tournament playing the same high level of tennis he has been this past month, he is capable of clinching his third Grand Slam and his second in New York.
Women's Winner - Serena Williams
With her now on the verge of bagging her first ever Calendar Grand Slam, there's no doubt that Serena WIlliams can achieve that feat at the US Open - fittingly, her home open. The world number one is simply untouchable right now, with no-one able to get near her level, and that has been the case for the entire year.
Yes, she did lose to Belinda Bencic at the Rogers Cup earlier this month, the teenager eventually going on to be crowned champion in Toronto, but this was a minor blip in a sensational year for Williams.
About to make history, there is obviously an incredible amount of pressure on the American, especially in front of a demanding home crow, with her the only one expected to be victorious in two weeks time. Everyone else is an underdog, meaning all her opponents can come up again her feeling no expectation, able to play freely and confidently as a result.
Yet, even this advantage does not look capable of giving anyone an edge over Williams, with her ferocious serve, sheer willpower and ability to play well even when she is far from her best, keeping her at the top of the rankings for countless weeks now, with her position in the game never looking under threat.
Simona Halep, the new world number two, will be her nearest challenger, though Bencic looks set for a stellar break-out tournament too, to round off what has been a promising 2015 for the youngster. Petra Kvitova is another player who could have a good two weeks in New York, looking to make up for a disappointing attempt to defend her Wimbledon crown.
However, there are few others that look like they will threaten the reigning champion in New York, and thus she should clinch her fourth consecutive Flushing Meadows title, her eighth overall, finally achieving the Serena Slam in the process.
Sam Johnson - VAVEL Tennis Writer
Men's Winner - Novak Djokovic
Djokovic is having a stunningly good year, having made the final in every tournament he’s entered since January. It’s a mark of his consistent superiority that some see his hard court summer as disappointing – his reaching the final of back-to-back Masters events should not be played down, despite his losses in both of them. Neither Murray nor Federer have beaten the Serb in a best of five match for some time now, and while it perhaps wouldn’t be a huge shock if it were to happen in New York, I find it tough to actually predict that it will. Djokovic only having one US Open title is always something I find a little odd on a surface where he has been so dominant in recent times, and I expect him to add the 2015 title to his 2011 triumph.
Women's Winner - Serena Williams
Who else? The three time defending champion is on a 28-match winning streak at this level, and if she can stop the pressure overwhelming her, it’s tricky to see who will beat her. Her biggest opponent would seem to be her own nerves as she looks to complete a Grand Slam and join Steffi Graf on 22 major titles. But I think that her drive to win will win out in New York – she’s shown time and again that she’s more than capable of pulling out wins from difficult positions, even when below her best. Serena’s had a while since Wimbledon to prepare herself for the pressure she’ll face to complete the Grand Slam in her home country, and I don’t think anyone will be able to stand in her way.
Luke Anderson - VAVEL Tennis Writer and WTA Expert
Men's - Novak Djokovic
I can't see past Novak Djokovic this year for the men's title. Whilst Federer and Murray beat him in finals in recent weeks, I can't see Djokovic losing in a five set match. Rafael Nadal is one who I expect to possibly head out early again as he hasn't shown anything to suggest otherwise in recent times and will have to survive a trick first round tie against Borna Coric. Andy Murray will only exit the tournament at the hands of Djokovic as I don't see anyone else being able to beat him apart from the Serbian. I can't see Marin Cilic or Kei Nishikori replicating their performance last year with neither player having really improved since then and perhaps actually regressed.
Women's - Serena Williams
Much like the mens, I see the number one seed lifting the trophy this year. Serena Williams is on another level right now and I can't see past her winning her first calendar slam. Quite simply, if Serena turns up, there is no-one who can beat Serena except herself. The only way I can see her losing is if the occasion overcomes her mentally and she lapses, but even then it would require a gret performance from whoever is on the other side of the court. With a relatively easy draw, save for a potential third round tie against Sloane Stephens, it's hard not to envisage Serena winning her fourth slam of 2015. If she does make a surprise exit then I feel Petra Kvitova could step up providing she can stay fit. Victoria Azarenka will also be looking to cement her comeback in what has been an encouraging year for her.
Glenys Furness - Vavel Tennis Writer and UK Expert
Men's Winner - Andy Murray
Since the start of the season Murrays tennis has got better and better. Getting closer and closer to the top players and getting back to number 3 (incidentally where he was in 2012). With the win over Djokovic in Montreal, his first in eight attempts, and getting closer and closer to an improving Federer, I believe the stars will align again this year.
Women's Winner - Serena Williams
It really is hard to see past the world number one on the ladies side. Although she has suffered some losses in the non slam events, Serena usually finds a way to pull through even when being physically ill.