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Greg Rusedski explains why Roger Federer is third US Open favourite behind Rafael Nadal & Novak Djokovic

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Federer is the third favourite according to Rusedski (Picture: Getty)

Greg Rusedski believes Roger Federers confidence took a dent during defeat to Kevin Anderson at Wimbledon and thinks his reduced schedule may restrict his ability to build match toughness.

The 1997 US Open finalist rates the Swiss as the third favourite at Flushing Meadows behind Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, with the Big Three viewed as the men to beat.

Federer, 37, has landed in Djokovics quarter and faces a potentially tricky third-round meeting with Nick Kyrgios, should both progress.

The five-time winner is without a title in New York since clinching his fifth consecutive crown a decade ago.

Djokovic is viewed as the favourite (Picture: Getty)

He can become the first man in the Open Era to win the US Open six times, however, Rusedski is concerned over his confidence levels heading into the final Grand Slam of the year.

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Djokovic has to be the favourite to win another major in New York next month – a result that would carry his overall tally to 14 slams, level with [Pete] Sampras, the former British No. 1 wrote in his Telegraph column.

The Big Three are still the men to beat in New York this year, more than a decade after they first held the top three spots in the world rankings.

Rusedski believes Federer may be suffering a loss of confidence (Picture: Getty)

I would put Rafael Nadal as the next-most-likely winner, and Federer in third place, because I feel that Rogers confidence has been rocked a little by his loss to Anderson at Wimbledon.

Federer restricted his hard-court preparations for the US Open to just a single tournament, the Cincinnati Masters.

This reduced schedule is probably the right thing for his body, but it restricts his ability to build momentum and match toughness.

Federer begins his quest for a sixth title against Yoshihito Nishioka.