US Open 2011 Preview: Viktor Troicki vs. Alejandro Falla

Viktor Troicki aims to build on a strong year as he takes on Alejandro Falla in the opening round of the US Open.

With all the Serbian media intensely focused on Novak Djokovic, Troicki has been happy to fly under the radar and he's seeded 15th this year with a real chance of making it through to the second week. He's hoping to end the year inside the top 10 and a deep run in New York will definitely help his chances. However it will not be easy with Washington champion Radek Stepanek a possible third round opponent and his current indifferent form.

He crashed out in the first round of Cincinnati in straight sets to Fabio Fognini, the sort of dismal performance which suggests another early exit is on the cards this week. Troicki though will draw confidence from his performance at Flushing Meadows last year. He led eventual finalist Novak Djokovic by two sets to one before losing in 5.

However worryingly for Serbian fans, this highlights a consistent failing of Troicki's over the past couple of years, regularly getting the top players on the rack but then being unable to kill the match off. He led Andy Murray by two sets to love at the French Open but led the fourth seed back in and again lost in 5.

He should have few problems today against world number 117 Falla who comes into the tournament on a 3 match losing streak.