The multiple Paralympic medallist is hoping to put on a repeat of his performance at last year's tournament, where he defeated world number one and London 2012 champion Shingo Kunieda 6-2, 6-4 to take his first US Open title and third career Grand Slam.

However, the Japanese star has won nine major singles titles, including the Australian Open, Roland Garros and the World Wheelchair Tennis Tournament, in the last year and defeated Houdet 7-5, 6-3 to secure the US Open USTA title last week so he will definitely be the one to beat.

"I feel like I have what it takes to retain my title, but I also know that more and more players can win the title," Houdet said.

"Every single match will be difficult.

"We used to know who could reach the quarterfinals, the semi-finals and the final.

"But this is not the case anymore."

Shingo Kunieda will be the one to beat at Flushing Meadows ©Getty Images


Among the other athletes who are potential medallists are Argentina's Belgian Open winner Gustavo Fernández, Nicolas Peifer of France, Belgium's Joachim Gérard and Great Britain's world number three Gordon Reid, who took Houdet to three sets in the semi-finals of World Wheelchair Tennis Tournament and lost the British Open final to Kunieda.

"Gustavo Fernández had three match points in the semi-final against Shingo in Roland Garros," Houdet added.

"Nicolas Peifer defeated Shingo during the Masters.

"Gordon Reid has beaten me and Shingo too.

"Joachim Gerard could be very strong with his serve.

"All of them can get to the final.

"Every player in the top 10 is able to beat each other, so it's really open."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
July 2014: Line-up announced for US Open wheelchair tennis competition