3 reasons Sam Querrey could be a surprise winner at the US Open
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The path to the final has opened up
The tennis Grand Slams have been dominated by the Big Four on the men’s tour for years. In fact, Stan Wawrinka and Marin Cilic are the only players from outside that elite group to have won a Slam title since 2010.
This year’s US Open offers a huge opportunity though. Five of the world’s top ten players have missed the tournament.
Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are involved but both are in the top half of the draw. They’re expected to face each other in the semi-finals.
That means the door could be open for San Francisco-born Sam Querrey to reach the final. He’s the highest seed left in the bottom half of the draw. And he’s the only one to have reached a Grand Slam semi-final before.
He’s now third-favourite to win the tournament at 8/1. Coral News have taken a look at why he could go all the way with a little luck.
Home Advantage
Querrey reached the semis at Wimbledon this year, becoming the first American man to reach the last four of a Slam since Andy Roddick at 2009.
It’s been a long time since the USA had a representative near the top of the men’s game. Now they have a player with a shot of winning one of the biggest titles on home turf.
Whoever Querrey’s facing, he’ll be able to count on the support of the crowd. When he’s tired or on the back foot, it could make all the difference.
He’s Hitting Form
The 29-year-old steamrollered Mischa Zverev 6-2, 6-2, 6-1 in his fourth round match. It was the shortest match of the men’s tournament so far at just 77 minutes.
He hit 55 winners and only made eight unforced errors in the whole match.
Querrey will still be up against it if Federer or Nadal await in the final. But should he get there, he’ll be full of confidence.
Federer and Nadal Not at Their Best
It’s never wise to doubt Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal but neither have played close to their best tennis yet.
Federer arrived in New York with a back problem and needed five sets to progress in both of the first two rounds.
Nadal has been a slow starter. He’s lost the first set of his last two matches before winning in four.
Either of them would be the clear favourite against Querrer in a potential final. But they haven’t looked unbeatable so far.
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All Odds and Markets correct as of the date of publication
