Patrick McEnroe dishes to The Post on US Open storylines and makes a bold mens prediction

ESPN tennis analyst and former player Patrick McEnroe takes a swing at some Q&A with Post columnist Steve Serby ahead of the start of the U.S.Open later this month.Q: How does Jannik Sinner (knee) withdrawing from the U.S.

Open change your overall view?A: It’s opportunity for the rest of the field.[Carlos] Alcaraz hasn’t played a tournament since early in the spring, so to expect him to go all the way would be I think a bit of a stretch, although he’s certainly capable of doing that.

But if you’re Ben Shelton, or Taylor Fritz, or Alexander Zverez or any of these other guys that are sort of second-tier guys, you got to be licking your chips right now that this could be [their] one chance.Q: Your updated prediction?A: I think I’m going to go with Ben Shelton now.… He’s had the best summer, winning Canada, he’s got the most upside I’ve been talking about of all the American men for a couple of years now.

With Alcaraz being a little bit suspect, he could get upset, he could lose early, and I think Shelton has a decent game to match up with him.Clearly, if they played late in the tournament, that would mean that Alcaraz is feeling pretty good and would likely be the favorite if they do play, but I think if ever there were an opportunity for Big Ben to kind of put it all together, this would be the spot, this would be the place.

He’s going to have a very high seed, he probably will be seeded 4 or 5 or 6, so if he can stay away from Alcaraz in the quarterfinals, I just think it’s a great opportunity, and I think he’s going to revel in the New York crowd.Q: Andy Roddick was the last American to win the U.S.Open and Grand Slam singles title in 2003.

So you’re predicting the first American winner since Andy Roddick.A: That is absolutely correct.You heard it clearly right from my mouth (laugh).

I’m going with it.Q: Describe the state of men’s tennis.A: Alcaraz is the most electrifying player in tennis.He moves the needle as an individua...