US Open 2016 round 1 tips: Djokovic, Nadal, Edmund and Kerber feature

Sam Barnard, Assistant Sports Editor | August 28, 2016

2016 US Open singles

Five US Open 2016 round 1 tips

The 2016 US Open, the final Grand Slam of the year, kicks off on Monday, where the top half of the men’s and bottom half of the women’s singles sections begin their campaigns.

Day 1 of the Flushing Meadows event features the likes of defending male champion Novak Djokovic, superstar Spaniard Rafael Nadal, Britain’s own Kyle Edmund and 13th seed Johanna Konta, as well as WTA top three-ranked Angelique Kerber and Garbine Muguruza.

But find out below who we’ve picked for our five top tips…

Troubled Djokovic to drop a set

It’s fair to say that Serbian ATP world number one Djokovic is going through a slump in the game, after some off-the-court issues and a wrist injury, which have seen him suffer early exits at Wimbledon and the Olympics this summer.

He’s been handed a relatively tricky first round tie too, against 2013 SW19 semi-finalist Jerzy Janowicz, but is still expected to progress with the Pole having suffered from injuries too.

Back Djokovic therefore at 10/3 to come through in four sets.

Kerber to edge Hercog 2-1

German Kerber has not had the best of luck in finals this summer, having lost out at Wimbledon, the Olympics and most recently the Cincinnati Masters, but the fact she’s reached that stage in multiple events is still a great achievement.

As a result of her run, she is now second in the women’s world rankings and within touching distance of knocking off Serena Williams from top spot.

Kerber takes on old foe Polona Hercog first, who she’s lost to twice in five meetings, so is 4/1 to edge the Slovenian 2-1.

Edmund and Gasquet to go the distance

This will be the maiden duel between the talented duo, but both are battlers and will be desperate not to exit at the first stage in Flushing Meadows.

Frenchman Richard Gasquet was recently taken to three sets by Edmund’s British compatriot Dan Evans at the Winston-Salem Open, so could be taken the distance once again.

Odds of 11/4 say this match will be over 4.5 sets.

Keys to beat compatriot Riske in three

USA fans will be torn between who to support in this opening round match-up in the women’s draw, with home hopes Madison Keys and Alison Riske locking horns.

The younger and higher ranked Keys has got the better of Riske in the past, winning the last four of their five meetings, though three of those duels have gone to three sets.

So, back Keys at 3/1 to triumph 2-1.

Nadal to win opening set 6-2

Nadal is a 14-time Grand Slam, adding the US Open in 2010 and 2013, and first takes on Denis Istomin, who he’s convincingly beaten the last two times.

The Spaniard has won all four of his head-to-heads with the Uzbek too, claiming the opening set 6-2 twice.

Take terrific odds of 9/2 for the resurgent Nadal to take the opener by that scoreline once more.

Related

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