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Thankfully the storms which have hit New York this week, causing rivers to run along the cross-streets and players to shelter in $100-an-hour Manhattan indoor courts, have now dispersed. and hopefully the tennis will match.

The forecast was correct and the minute we emerge from the , after a wind-assisted zip across the atlantic courtesy of Her Majesty's airline, we are hit by the usual smoggy chaos of Manhattan.

. I love the energy around every corner, the creativity and individuality of the citizens. You never know the story of the next man or woman but you suspect it's a good one.

Out at the tennis - the vast at Flushing Meadows - the place is packed with kids watching the stars practice. The food court is rammed and bands perform at places like "The Let's Get Pumped Stage".

Kim Clijsters and Rafael Nadal watch Roger Federer entertain the crowds in New York. Photo: Getty Images

Back in the sanctuary of the interview room, saunters in wearing shiny black; looks more bored than ever; cracks gags about cricket. Everyone, as always this close to a major, appears a little twitchy.

Federer is interesting. An "up-and-down year" has included the occasional injury setback. Perhaps he should have taken a break - he admits as much - but he says loves tennis too much and wants to play. "I'm not scared of taking losses," he says, candidly. "Losses get over-rated sometimes". I can see where he's coming from.

The analysis is at its most intense when Federer loses unexpectedly, like . We expect consistency from professional athletes. Perhaps we expect too much and forget how hard it is to maintain a world-class standard. Sometimes things go wrong, sometimes these superhuman lose. That's sport. Federer doesn't care.

"I spoiled myself by playing so well," he says. "If I win one or two Slams a year I'm on a downslide. I take that as a compliment."

He reveals that after a successful trial period. The American is winding down at the LTA and will work alongside Federer's friend and confidant Severin Luthi. "How many weeks a year?" I ask. "I am Swiss, I don't deal in weeks only minutes," he replies. Nice.

has made two US Open semi-finals and one quarter-final. It's not a bad record but when you're number one, you want to make the finals and win the Slams. He's claimed the other three. So what about here? Logic suggests the courts are too quick and an aggressive Murray can beat him on Super Saturday. But logic doesn't apply when Rafa is involved.

It's pointless making predictions. Having said that, let's make some more predictions.

has an excellent chance, on current evidence, of making a third major final to play Federer. and has a little bit of extra fortune, he can do it. But Berdych, in his quarter, can do some considerable forehand damage on these slick courts. A second successive major final can't be ruled out.

And what about Roddick? And his big mate Mardy Fish? And welcome back to David Nalbandian, who would , is back from long-term injury and playing well. If he can survive the first week he could be the unexpected dangerman.

The women's tournament is wide open after . The 2009 finalists are the top two seeds but it's runner-up just behind.

Interestingly, I am told the last US Open number one seed to play a final the week before (i.e. 48 hours before the start of the final major of the season) was back in 1988.

I have a strange prediction for this, based on nothing at all other than she's been threatening for a decade and I think she has a major in her, and that is . Go on, laugh if you want. But who really knows?! That's why we love open tournaments like this one.

Enough of the preamble, which includes , let's get the tennis started and round off the Grand Slam year with an epic Open!

And I must just add - good luck also to Elena Baltacha and Anne Keothavong, in the main draw as of right, because they both have winnable first round matches followed by some giant-killing potential.

Sadly, after letting slip a healthy final set lead for the second year in a row.

She led 3-1 40-15 against Nuria Llagostera-Vives, the experienced Spaniard who used some unfortunate delaying tactics during the match, but nerves seemed to get the better of the 16-year old again.

In the crucial 3-3 game, having lost her break, she hit a moonball long and then a double fault on the two points from deuce. An erratic display that was sad to watch because we know that she is so much better. She has to stay positive and keep believing that next year she won't need the trials of the qualifying competition.

Another year of progress should leave her close to the main draw in 2011.