Serena and Djokovic still dominate tennis despite US Open mixed fortunes
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Novak Djokovic is now into double figures for Grand Slam titles after capturing his second US Open crown, defeating all-time tennis great Roger Federer in four sets at Flushing Meadows.
Coral make the Serbian racket star and ATP world number one a firm 11/10 favourite to continue his dominance in the first major of 2016; the Australian Open. Djokovic has won that Grand Slam in Melbourne five times before, including four of the last five editions.
With foe Federer now 34, it is hard to see how the Swiss sensation can continue at the top for much longer, though back-to-back appearances in the Wimbledon and US Open finals clearly show he has still got it. Rafael Nadal, meanwhile, made another early exit at Flushing Meadows, adding further evidence to prevailing opinions that injuries have taken their toll on ‘the King of Clay’.
Djokovic’s main competition going forward looks, happily from a British perspective, to be Andy Murray, who is 4/1 to add the Australian Open to previous Wimbledon and US Open successes. Stan Wawrinka has won in Melbourne before, though, and looks a tempting 10/1 chance to repeat his 2014 triumph.
Like her male counterpart, WTA world number one Serena Williams ends 2015 with three Grand Slams, just falling short of taking all four majors in a calendar year.
Slumping to a sensational semi-final loss to veteran Italian pro Roberta Vinci at Flushing Meadows, home court advantage could not help Serena reign supreme. The American public, in part bitterly disappointed by their best tennis player’s defeat, spoke with their feet by either selling final tickets or not showing up in New York.
Victories over Grand Slam-winning duo Sam Sotsur and Petra Kvitova, plus beating world number two Simona Halep, open the door for Flavia Pennetta to take the US Open title, and immediately retire from the sport after an all-Italian final.
Serena shall come again, however, and punters can expect Williams to respond at the WTA tour finals later this autumn. She will then bid for a seventh Australian Open success mid-winter, and is 2/1 favourite to get her hands on singles Grand Slam number 22.
