US Open: Who are the favourites?
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Latest odds for the tennis Grand Slam event
Like everything else, the tennis calendar has been seriously disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic. But the second Grand Slam of the year takes place next week, as the US Open gets underway.
Several leading players from the men’s and women’s circuits won’t be taking part this year, but there should still be plenty of top-quality tennis being served up.
Before it gets started, we’ve looked over the current favourites.
Men’s
With Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal both absent, it’s no surprise that Novak Djokovic is the clear favourite here. Should he triumph, it would be his 18th Grand Slam win – just two behind Federer’s record of 20.
He’s looking for his fourth title at Flushing Meadows. The Serb is one of only three previous winners taking part in this year’s event – Andy Murray (33/1) is still getting back to his best, while 2014 champ Marin Cilic is all the way back at 125/1.
Can he maintain his focus without his usual rivals? If he does, you’d expect him to go all the way.
After losing last year’s final to Nadal, can Daniil Medvedev go one better this time around? Many were surprised that he made it that far, but he took Nadal to five sets and the crowd were chanting his name by the time it was over.
Ranked fifth in the world, his talent is clear to see. His unorthodox forehand can catch even the very best players out and he’s got a strong backhand from the baseline too. Few players match up well against the Russian, who’ll fancy his chances of causing an even bigger surprise this year.
Only Djokovic, Medvedev and Dominic Thiem will be seeded ahead of Stefanos Tsitsipas here. The promising Greek won the 2019 ATP Finals and had been in good form before play was stopped in March.
He defended his Open 13 title in Marseille, then finished as runner-up to Djokovic in the Dubai Tennis Championships.
We make him 11/20 favourite to beat Milos Raonic in the Western & Southern Open semi-final on Friday. Djokovic or Roberto Bautista Agut would in the final – a confidence-boosting win could give him real momentum heading into the US Open.
Women’s
After winning plaudits for her off-court activism recently, Naomi Osaka will also be looking to win a third Grand Slam title here.
Her Slam showings since last year’s Australian Open glory haven’t been particularly impressive, but when it comes to ability, there aren’t many coming close to Osaka.
She’s got the game to beat anyone when she’s on form – whether it’s with her serve, powerful winners or ability to win long rallies.
According to our traders, Osaka’s main – and potentially only – threat comes from Serena Williams. They’re level at the top of the market, with every other player at 14/1 or longer.
We all know Williams’ quality and she’s now only one Grand Slam away from equalling Margaret Court’s all-time record of 24. However, the 38-year-old hasn’t won a major title since the 2017 Australian Open. She’s lost four Slam finals since then, including the 2018 and 2019 US Open.
The tennis icon hasn’t been at her best in warm-up events heading into the tournament. Can she get over the line and claim a seventh title at Flushing Meadows?
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication
