This is a very special era in men’s tennis. It is unusual to have four extraordinary players of exceptional talent – all playing at the same time. Djokovic, Nadal, Federer and Murray comfortably entered the semi-finals of the men’s singles event at the 2011 US Open Championships and in the process made the seeding committee look as if it knew what it was doing, for a change!

The top four seeded men are at slightly different stages of their respective careers. While Djokovic is in the middle of an unbelievable run that has seen him lose just twice this year, Roger Federer, at 30 has seen it all, done it all. Rafael Nadal looks just a little taken aback at having his domination at the top interrupted by the arrival of a super talent in the form of Novak. Andy Murray, who might have already had a few Grand Slams under his belt in a slightly less competitive era, is still an uncrowned prince, looking to conquer a kingdom that could already have been his!

In the women’s draw, Serena Williams has looked focused and showed, that when her dominance is threatened, she can draw on her daunting power and vast repertoire. I was impressed by the way she raised her level to quell the challenge of the athletic and vastly talented Victoria Azarenka, when the Belarusian upped her game in the 2nd set against the American. Serena would have to play at a level well below par if she is to be stopped from annexing the crown, which she has so far given the impression of owning.

Angelique Kerber’s is a real feel-good story that must inspire a lot of people. She was ranked outside the top-100 a week before this year’s US Open when I practiced with her in Dallas, where she had to go through the qualifying rounds due to her low ranking. She will already see herself in the top-35 players of the world when the fresh rankings are released on Monday, even if her extraordinary run at Flushing Meadows is nipped by Samantha Stosur in the semi-final.

The Indian boys, Hesh and Bops have anxiously waited since the last few weeks to welcome me into the top-10 doubles players of the world. My entry into the 3rd round of the US Open in the doubles may have finally opened the doors for me to be a member of the top-10 club although I may need a bit of luck, that has deserted me these last few days. The achievement of finally making it into the top-10 bracket of a sport that is played seriously in over 200 countries may be just the tonic I need to bounce back in a few months time from a serious knee injury that looks depressingly threatening as I write this column.