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This year, some of the top American tennis players will once again return to Memphis. The hard indoor surface suits the fast paced and big hitting game of U.S.A.’s top guns Andy Roddick, Sam Querrey, Mardy Fish, and James Blake.

There are also somewhat surprising appearances from Spaniard Fernando Verdasco and Frenchman Gael Monfils. It is puzzling why they prefer the North American tournament instead of the other scheduled events at Marseille, France and Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The Memphis crowd will be eager to greet defending Champion Sam Querrey, who took out fellow American John Isner in last year’s final. It looks like John Isner will not compete at the event this year, as he withdrew from the recent tournament in Rotterdam, Holland. Sam Querrey’s prospects of repeating last year’s performance are not as promising. The big serving American has played only two matches in 2011, both of which he lost in Australia.

Andy Roddick comes in good shape and will probably be the first seed at Memphis because of his current 8th world ranking. Roddick is familiar with holding the trophy at the event, from his pleasant memories in 2002 and 2009. The number one American will be eager to bounce back from his straight loss in the round of 16 of this year’s Australian Open.

Fernando Verdasco, who is ranked 9th in the world, will probably take the second seed spot, and he will be one of the strong contenders this year. The hard hitting lefty will strive for better results than his first round exit here last year.

When talking about the favorites for the 2010 U.S. Open, the main focus is on the top four players; Nadal, Federer, Djokovic, and Murray. Andy Roddick, who dropped out of the top 10 and was diagnosed with mono, is unfortunately a long shot at this year’s Open. Defending Champion Del Potro is also out of the conversation, because he has been struggling with injuries all season long and hasn’t played much.

Andy Murray is the current leader of the men’s 2010 U.S. Open Olympus Series, after claiming the Rogers Cup in Toronto, Canada by defeating Roger Federer. Surprisingly, Murray earned a straight set victory of over the greatest player of all time. There is a good chance that Federer may get this rematch at the U.S. Open final.

The Olympus Series standings can be misleading, because Nadal, Federer, and Djokovic arrived at the Rogers Cup without playing any matches since Wimbledon. Djokovic lost to Federer in the Semifinals, while Nadal lost to Murray in the other semifinal. The top four players proved that they are the true candidates for claiming major tournaments during the hard court season, starting with the Masters Series.

There are only two tournaments remaining for the men, the masters at Cincinnati and the Pilot Pen Open in New Haven, Connecticut. Once again, the top four men are the heavy favorites to get to the late stages of the final masters series of the hard court season.

Traditionally, the top players have skipped the Pilot Pen Open, and rather arrived early at the U.S. Open grounds to start preparing for the grand slam. A week of practice should give Nadal, Federer, Djokovic, and Murray plenty of preparation. Nadal, who is ranked number 1, is still seeking the only Grand Slam he hasn’t claimed yet.

The best of the ATP Tour and Sony Ericsson WTA Tour will be on display with day and evening session matches. Expected to compete will be Maria Sharapova, former top-10 player Nicole Vaidisova, and American teen sensation Melanie Oudin.

As usual, the men’s field is very strong as well. The stars continue to turn out for this ATP 500 level event. Former champion Andy Roddick will return to the mid-south, along with James Blake, Tommy Haas, and Fernando Verdasco.

American upstarts Sam Querrey and John Isner are also expected to be a factor. 2010 Australian Open Doubles Champs, the Bryan Brothers, will headline the doubles action throughout the week.

Also lurking in the draw will be 6’10″ Ivo Karlovic and the feisty Radek Stepanek who always plays well in Memphis. There is over $1.1 million and many ATP ranking points at stake this year for the 33rd annual Regions Morgan Keegan Championships.

Novak Djokovic returns to defend his title and continue his push up the rankings as he now is the #2 player in the world. World #1 Roger Federer is fresh off his victory at The Australian Open and he is scheduled to compete.

Other notables include Australian Open runner up Andy Murray, and Juan Martin Del Potro. Maybe one of the hottest players on the circuit, Nikolay Davydenko will be in Dubai as will Marin Cilic. Andy Roddick, who has had prior success in Dubai will be returning as will strong contingents from Spain and France.

It’s always good weather, and it’s always good tennis as the world’s best meet in Dubai for a great showcase of tennis.