As always, this year’s US Open has thrown up drama in abundance both on and off the court.

But, certainly, from the numerous headlines which have arisen from New York this past week, the one which stands out above the rest in terms of controversy is Fabio Fognini’s disqualification from the season’s final major.

The Italian’s “bad boy” image has always been well heralded amongst the tennis fraternity, however, the personal insults thrown at the female umpire – Louise Engzell - in his first-round defeat to Stefano Travaglia was a new low for Fognini.

The 30-year-old possesses so much raw skill but his career has been blighted by poor attitude and the public misdemeanors like we saw this week. It’s sad that in his early thirties, Fognini still hasn’t learned from his mistakes and hasn’t knuckled down on Tour as there is a fine player in there somewhere.

On a more positive note, Serena Williams gave birth to a baby girl on Friday and hopes to get back to action soon. The 23-time Grand Slam winner has been on maternity leave since winning the Australian Open back in January and could return to court at the same location to defend her major title in four months’ time.

Now, as Venus Williams snapped at the press this week, let’s focus on what’s happening on the court.

Even though they, somewhat, stumbled their way into round four, the resurgent, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, are shaping up as favorites to win the US Open once again.

Federer, who started his tournament off rusty with two five-setters, looked much sharper and comfortable against Feliciano Lopez in round three and seems to be shaking off the back twinge he suffered in the Montreal final.

Too, Nadal, played with passion and conviction to come back from a set down against lucky loser Leonardo Mayer in round three and is clearly gaining confidence and belief as he progresses his way through the tournament.

The two legends are on course to meet in the semifinals and will be fancying their chances of triumph due to the lack of world class quality in the opposite half of the draw where, quite remarkably, one of Sam Querrey, Mischa Zverev, Lucas Pouille, Paolo Lorenzi, Kevin Anderson, Diego Schwartzman, Denis Shapovalov and Pablo Carreno Busta will reach the final.

Elsewhere, Juan Martin Del Potro is displaying the kind of form which saw him lift the title in 2009. The Argentinian has had a struggling year but, suddenly, looks to be feeling it in New York and has yet to drop a set in his first three matches. Even so, he will be lamenting the misfortune which has placed him in Federer and Nadal’s half of the draw.

On the women’s side, the first week of the US Open showed up yet again the unreliability of the WTA Tour.

Jo Konta, British number one and semi-finalist at Wimbledon in July, was expected to go deep in New York, however, suffered a shock defeat at the hands of Alexandra Krunic. Likewise, Simona Halep, who reached the final of Roland Garros and quarterfinal of Wimbledon, also lost in round one to the returning Maria Sharapova who has performed well amid all the drama and will be a threat to the favorites.

As expected, after reaching the Wimbledon final, Venus Williams is playing strongly in the season’s final major. At 36, the American has found consistency again highlighted by the fact that she is the only player on the WTA Tour to advance to the second week of the last seven majors.

The early hiccups she overcame in round one appears to have made her stronger as she searches for the peak game that would enable her to lift a first grand slam since 2008.

Meanwhile, her young rival, Garbine Muguruza is progressing well but must get past a tricky Petra Kvitova in the next round. Yet, buoyed by her Wimbledon victory over Williams, the Spaniard should be confident that her momentum and power on the court will smother the rest of the draw.