Stan Wawrinka was the last man to upset this statistic at this very tournament in 2016 and so will it happen again?
The statistics point towards this not happening with Novak Djokovic in particular winning four out of the past five Grand Slam titles. Only in the French Open, a tournament which Rafael Nadal excels in is this different.
Nadal though came out with a good draw mainly due to him avoiding the trio until the final. He also avoids the likes of Stefanos Tsitsipas, Nick Kyrgios and Dominic Thiem; who will all be eliminated by the time he reaches any of them.
Djokovic though has an easier task now with Kevin Anderson's withdrawal through injury but Stan Wawrinka or Hubert Hurkacz, recent winner at the Winston-Salem Open; so in-form on the hard courts could face the Serbian.
Daniil Medvedev could be the spoiler in the draw with his draw showing an easy route of sorts to the Quarter-Finals, Fabio Fognini in the fourth-round; potentially could be the only player who could test him.
Medvedev saw off Djokovic in brilliant fashion on his way to the title in Cincinnati; so could dump him out against at Flushing Meadows.
Federer in his quarter has the likes of Kei Nishikori and Borna Coric in his side, similar to Djokovic due to Milos Raonic's withdrawal; his cause is strengthened. The only players who could be a danger to him; will be Lucas Pouille and David Goffin; with the latter reaching the final in Cincinnati.
A new era is yet to be ushered in tennis and going into the US Open; a shock victor could be on the cards; but it seems unlikely given the strength of the big three. The action starts on August 26 running through to September 8.
https://twitter.com/ATP_Tour/status/1165651025967177729?s=20