Aces & Accessories: The best style of the '18 US Open

Whether baking in that blinding sun or basking under those late-night lights in Queens, the stars collide in New York for the 50th time to determine the US Open champions. As style points go, some obvious and more nuanced hits and misses present themselves. Now, with an eye on precedents, trends and more, are the aces and stand-out accessories at this season's Slam finale:

Milos Raonic won out (well, until John Isner stopped him) in a fresh New Balance set readily complementing his impeccable coiffure.

Consistently rocking those Adidas-meets–Stella McCartney collaborations, Caroline Wozniacki again donned a skirt with breathable, perforated-design treatment. The look came off as smart and fashion-conscious, yet off-the-rack ready for a club player to relish.

Blasting his way into the second week, Juan Martin del Potro and his Nike polo—orange with just-right blue and green-collar details—gave the 2009 champion in Flushing a strong, stately look.

Powered by spunk in spades, the likes of Alex de Minaur, Vasek Pospisil and more worked it out in an intriguing, squared-away collar from Asics.

Somewhat similarly, under-30 (yea, 21-and-under) stars-in-training Borna Coric, Taylor Fritz, Frances Tiafoe and others made Nike's navy-orange-and-white polo appear made-for-TV and guy-next-door simultaneously. The sum of it all worked.

Newly sporting Nike this season, Sloane Stephens has wowed in her dresses, and again shows something truly major with a bold orange frock that few should ever step into, paired with colorful peekaboo tights.

Aryna Sabalenka, Madison Keys and more have worn dress-and-shorts akin to Stephens', though paling by comparison (in a decidedly great way). The result has been—and will be—a winning, poised pair.

In Mizuno, Zverev-beater Philipp Kohlschreiber came through strong, revealing that orange (and teal) will go down as the color of choice at this final major of 2018.

How times change. Recall that once upon a time—in 2002, to be precise—Tommy Haas was commanded to change out of his sleeveless look in New York. Now witness Rafael Nadal, bedecked in Nike per usual, showing off hyper-toned arms in his own fabric-deprived look and harking back to those no-sleeves-meets-capris styles of the mid-aughts.

Best Reference: Roger Federer's raspberry motif in Uniqlo, with his favored stand collar and all, summons Stan Wawrinka's look from yesteryear.

Practice-Tease: Maria Sharapova and Borna Coric, each rocking a shibori-esque print, reflective of that Japan-originating tie-dye treatment.

Dye Job: Speaking of do-or-dye looks, Richard Gasquet's newly blond dome was ... a choice.

Style forces joining forces: Garbine Muguruza and Wozniacki sported a Billie Jean King/Adidas tee worthy of its inspiration and cause.

Brainy-Spouse Style: Jelena Djokovic always serves ace face, and this Slam will go down as no exception.

Shabby-Chic Accessory: Dominic Thiem's dismantled racquet, rightfully disposed of in the clutches of an elated young fan.

Double-Meaning Streetwear: Stan Wawrinka, whose T-shirt allegedly winkingly alluded to girlfriend Donna Vekic's Twitter dust-up with Nick Kyrgios.

Chic Night-Out Garb: Sharapova in a loose-yet-slinky Tibi suit and Nike sports bra; Federer in a crisp Uniqlo suit with Anna Wintour as arm candy and the Met as backdrop.

Celebrity-Fan Fashion: Christine Taylor, happily watching Nadal in action and enjoying summer's last gasps in a maxi-dress with long, flowing sleeves. Woodstock meets Anthropologie.

Ultimate Accessory: Nadal, with that defending champ's winning smile, which will always and forever be the simplest way to look good.

Follow Jon on Twitter: @jonscott9.