Once a year for two weeks spanning the final days of August as schools open back up with Fall approaching, America’s grand slam event takes center stage in the city that never sleeps.

It all got started today as the 2007 U.S. Open kicked off at Arthur Ashe Stadium with opening round matches on a nice Day One at Flushing Meadows.

The biggest question is who will be holding the trophies at the end?

Last year, Russian Maria Sharapova fulfilled part of her legacy by winning her first Open in straight sets over Justine Henin- adding her second major to legitimize her career after having not won any slams since she was 17 when she kissed the Wimbledon crown in 2004.

Meanwhile on the men’s side, a familiar champion once again held the trophy for the third consecutive year as the best player in the world Roger Federer bested American Andy Roddick in four sets for his ninth career slam.

So what’s in store for this year’s event? Well, already there was a big upset on the men’s side as 18th seeded Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis fell to “The Beast” Max Mirnyi in four sets. The 30 year-old veteran serve and volley specialist got the better of his younger foe besting him 6-3, 7-5, 3-6, 7-6 (6) at Louis Armstrong Stadium advancing to the second round.

Mirnyi came into net 173 times converting 57 percent of his volleys. He also outaced Baghdatis 16-2. The match was very close as he won just four more points than the Cypriot 147-143.

For Baghdatis, it was a disappointment. The former 2006 Australian Open runner-up didn’t play badly making only 27 unforced errors and hitting 62 winners. But he didn’t do enough on the big points. Though he fought off a match point on a crosscourt backhand winner pushing the match into a fourth set tiebreak, the 22 year-old blew a 5-1 lead in the breaker allowing Mirnyi to comeback from a set point down to take the match when his backhand sailed into the net.

This was not the result he had in mind. Especially after what’s been a disappointing season with his best slam result the Wimbledon quarters where he fell to Novak Djokovic.

Once ranked as high as eighth, he’ll drop out of the top 20.

It’s back to the drawing board for the Cypriot who has as much talent as anyone but hasn’t been able to duplicate his Aussie run where he fell to Federer in four sets.

Meanwhile, the three-time defending Open champ was up a couple of sets on 21 year-old American Scoville Jenkins leading 6-3, 6-2, 2-3.

He came out with not much energy but it didn’t seem to matter. Once he got his teeth into the match, he took control. Figure Federer to wrap this up soon.

So, can the magnificent 26 year-old Swiss world No.1 become the first men’s player to win four straight in over 110 years?

For starters, it’s tough to bet against the man chasing Pete Sampras. After matching Bjorn Borg with his fifth consecutive Wimbledon in which he showed the mettle of a champion to beat archrival Rafael Nadal in five sets, Federer is just three slams shy of Pistol Pete’s record 14.

If he wins again in New York City, you have to believe he’ll at least match the record next year.

His chief competition should come from Roddick who he could see in the quarters, Nadal if he overcomes his recent Open struggles and a sore shoulder to conquer a winnable section.

There’s also rising Serbian Djokovic, who is just 20 and all the way up to three in the world. He recently got the better of Federer a couple of weeks ago in a final beating him in three sets, even winning two breakers to do it.

With opening round opponent Mario Ancic pulling out due to injury, Djokovic’s draw doesn’t look all too difficult but could see either Lleyton Hewitt in the Round of 16 and 2006 semifinalist Mikhail Youzhny in the quarters.

It wouldn’t be surprising if a resurgent Hewitt uses his guile and experience to pull the upset and get through this section. He’s had some recent solid form taking Federer to three sets before losing a close match.

American James Blake is another player to watch. The Yonkers native is a fan favorite who always gets plenty of support and has been playing better lately, losing to Federer in Cincinnati and also winning in New Haven the next week over buddy Mardy Fish.

He already caught a break with Baghdatis getting bounced but could still see German Tommy Haas in the fourth round if the 10th seed prevails on Day One. He was tied a set apiece with Steve Darcis.

If Blake doesn’t get tricked by veteran magician Fabrice Santoro in the second round, he should be able to reach the quarters where he could see Nikolay Davydenko. The fourth seeded Russian has been to the slam semis before and has better slam results but has never beaten the American in six tries.

If Davydenko doesn’t run into trouble against veteran German Nicklas Kiefer, he could meet Brit Andy Murray in the Round of 16. Fitness could become an issue for Murray who’s just back from a nagging injury which caused him to miss Wimbledon.

A Blake/Davydenko quarter would be entertaining. No doubt, Blake would have the crowd with a chance to finally make a slam semi. It would be an ultracompetitive match.

Nadal’s section isn’t too bad. Though the fiery second ranked Spaniard has never been a strong hard court performer, his draw isn’t bad. If he’s in form, Nadal should have enough to get by big server Janko Tipsarevic. He could see Russian Dmitry Tursunov in the third round.

There’s also former Open semifinalist David Nalbandian or fellow Spaniard David Ferrer in the Round of 16 lurking. So Nadal should get tested.

The other side of the draw could have some upsets. Since making the Australian final, Fernando Gonzalez has struggled. It wouldn’t be shocking if he lost to American Robby Ginepri in Round 2, assuming the former ‘05 Open semifinalist gets through Olivier Rochus.

Croat Ivan Ljubicic is always a threat with his big serve but has never fared well in slams. The top half is so wide open that if a motivated Marat Safin is in form, he could reach the quarters. The problem is the former 2000 Open winner might be reaching the end. You just never know.

If Nadal plays well, he should reach the Final Four.

Picking a winner is always a difficult task. Of course, Federer is the favorite here but his draw which also features Richard Gasquet in the Round of 16 along with Roddick in the quarters could prove very tough.

One potential spoiler in this section is Czech Tomas Berdych who boasts a huge serve and bigger groundstrokes. If he’s consistent, he could give Roddick all he wants in the Round of 16.

If Roddick/Federer happens, the winner could get either Davydenko or Blake in the semis. We’re taking Federer to best Roddick in a tight match and then beat either future foe to make the final.

On the other side, Djokovic and Nadal would meet in the semifinals if they both get there. Djokovic has a huge game and a lot of confidence but Hewitt could prove tough in the quarters. This might be the former 2001 champ’s best chance to go deep into a major again. He’ll take it where Nadal should be waiting.

Most aren’t picking Nadal in this slam because the faster courts usually work against his game but his draw isn’t top heavy and could give him an advantage. If he’s playing well, this could be his breakthrough major away from the clay.

If Nadal could seriously challenge Federer on his best surface, why can’t he do the unthinkable and win his first Open? It’s a risky pick but that’s who we’re taking.

The women’s draw should come down to four or five competitors. The Williams sisters, Henin, defending champion Sharapova along with former winner Svetlana Kuznetsova appear to be the favorites. Don’t also rule out rising Serbs Jelena Jankovic and Ana Ivanovic. Both have the game to reach the semis.

So, how do we see it going?

The first section looks like a potential quarter showdown between Henin and Serena Williams. The Belgian got the better of her at the last two slams. If it happens, it would be another fierce battle probably going three sets and lasting two hours.

Who could get in the way of that match? There aren’t many serious threats but Frenchwoman Marion Bartoli is playing the best tennis of her career. She upset Henin at Wimbledon to reach her first final before falling to Venus Williams in straights.

Fortunately for Henin, she’s on Serena’s side of the draw and could be looming in the Round of 16. Dinara Safina has a big game like her older brother and could pose a threat if she sees Henin in the same round.

Tatiana Golovin has a lot of talent on and off the court but she’s never been consistent and is better known for her red knickers which matched her dynamite outfit in London. Not familiar with it? We suggest you check it out here: http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2007290588,00.html
If Henin/Williams doesn’t happen, it would be a big upset. It would be a toss up. I like Henin.
The second section features both Serbs and could pit Jankovic against Ivanovic for a spot in the semis. That’s if Venus doesn’t ruin it. She’s coming off her Wimbledon win and should be in form.

At the top half, Jankovic shouldn’t be challenged until the fourth round where she could run into former finalist Elena Dementieva. The lanky Russian has huge groundstrokes which are made for this surface. The question is always her serve which could go off at any moment. If she was more consistent, she could be a champion. She hasn’t had the best year. So who knows if she’ll even get to that point.

As for Ivanovic, she projects to play Venus in the Round of 16 which would be a great match. Venus beat her in the Wimbledon semis but she could exact some revenge this time to meet her fellow countrywoman in the quarterfinals.

Some are picking Venus to come out of this bracket but we’ll take Ivanovic who I still maintain is better than Jankovic.

The third bracket features Kuznetsova and Russian Nadia Petrova on the other side. Something will happen to prevent that quarter from taking place. Whether it’s Petrova’s nerves getting the best of her or an unexpected upset, it won’t happen.

Though this section doesn’t pose many threats, it does have some big hitters in Daniela Hantuchova and Michaella Krajicek on Petrova’s side. Hantuchova has never had great slam results but the nice looking Slovak with the big game has had a pretty good year and gotten back into the top 10. If she’s playing well, it wouldn’t be surprising if she beat Petrova to reach the quarters. It also wouldn’t be shocking if she lost early because she has a tendency to play to her opponents.

On Kuznetsova’s side, there’s Martina Hingis who hasn’t had a good season and is only seeded 16th. Hingis’ portion of the draw isn’t bad. So if she is motivated after calling off her engagement to male player Radek Stepanek, she should get to the Round of 16 and be waiting for Kuznetsova.

Kuznetsova’s only real challenge in the first week should come from Spaniard Anabel Medina-Garrigues in the third round.

The former 2004 champ is rounding into shape with a recent win at The Pilot in New Haven for her first title of the year. She really looks like the favorite to come out of this section and reach the semis. We don’t see Hingis, Petrova or even Hantuchova having enough to beat her. And out of the three, Petrova has the best chance but she’s never proven she can take that next step in a slam.

Sharapova got a great draw. The defending champ is expected to reach the semis without breaking a sweat. Who could potentially get in the way?

The 20 year-old Russian could see either Israeli Shahar Peer or Nicole Vaidisova in a competitive fourth round match. Both can slug the ball from the baseline and push her. Three sets wouldn’t be surprising but Sharapova is tougher and more experienced than either which should carry her through to the quarters.

The top half includes Russian Anna Chakvetadze, Patty Schnyder and Francesca Schiavone. Any of them could come out of this portion and meet Sharapova for a chance at the semis.

We’ll take Chakvetadze who’s climbed to sixth in the world. Sharapova never plays great against her but should have enough to prevail in straights to make the Final Four.

On one side, a Henin/Ivanovic semi would be fun to watch. The experience would be with the Belgian but the younger Serb on this surface could have the edge. We’re going to take her in an upset to reach her first second flam final of the season and get a measure of revenge on Henin for Roland Garros.

Kuznetsova and Sharapova know each other well having split six matches with Maria taking three of the last four. Both are formidable on this surface but Sharapova hits bigger and should come out victorious to reach her second consecutive Open final against Ivanovic.

On this big stage, it’s hard to go against Sharapova. It wouldn’t be surprising if this match goes the distance because you got two heavy hitters but when push comes to shove, we’ll take the elegant Russian to repeat in New York and win her further cement her reputation with a third grand slam title.