The grandest stage in men's tennis is almost set.  The first three rounds of the qualifying tournament for the USTA granddaddy event are over.  The professional tennis players have been in New York battling for 16 spots into the US Open for several days.  Before the final round begins in Flushing Meadows, I thought I would choose my picks.

My picks:
Bjorn Phau
Giovanni Lapentti - brother Nicholas won the RCA Championships several yrs ago
Robert Smeets - love the last name
Robert Kendrick - a US player who recently competed in Indy
Brian Dabul - Da bulls, Da bulls
Thiago Alves
Ryler De Heart - another US player
Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi - played in Indianapolis this year and was great
Flavio Cipolla - have to root for a guy with the first name of Flavio
Thierry Ascione
Rik de Voest
Paul Capdeville - played well in the Indianapolis Tennis Tournament
Kevin Kim
Alex Kuznetsov - an upcoming American
Gille Muller
Stephane Bohli