Super Novak Chasing Federer’s Record
Novak Djokovic has been installed as the clear favourite to win the US Open after his epic victory over Roger Federer in the final at Wimbledon. It moved the Serb up to 16 Grand Slam triumphs and he is now just four behind record holder Federer. Clay court king Rafa Nadal is sandwiched between them on 18 Grand Slams, and all three men will bid for glory at Flushing Meadows this fall. But the betting sites have all made Djokovic the favourite after his persistence eventually wore down the great Swiss at Wimbledon.
Since recovering from a long-term injury, Djokovic has won four of the last five Grand Slams and cemented his dominance over the men’s game. Only Rafa Nadal in the French Open could stop him, but the Serb has been invincible on every surface apart from clay. Victory at Flushing Meadows would leave him just one Grand Slam behind Nadal in the all-time stakes and move him to within three triumphs of Federer’s record. It could also significantly bolster his impressive career earnings, as the US Open will be the richest tournament in tennis history
US Open Injects Cash
The total purse will exceed $57 million for the first time this year. Anyone that loses in the first round of the singles tournament will be handed $58,000, which is not bad for a day’s work. The winner of the men’s and women’s singles will each receive $3.85 million, the highest pay-out in history. “The US Open prides itself on offering the best tennis players in the world the richest total prize money in our sport,” said USTA chairman and president Patrick Galbraith.
Djokovic heads into the fray as the defending champion. Last year he rattled off straight sets victories over John Millman and Kei Nishikori to surge into the final, where he faced Juan Martin del Potro. Some commentators were expecting a close contest, but Djokovic blew his opponent away to secure a third US Open title. He was equally impressive in winning the Australian Open earlier this year. He beat Lucas Ouuille 6-0, 6-2, 6-2 to set up a final showdown with Nadal and he won that match 6-3, 6-2, 6-3.
He lost out to Dominic Thiem at Roland-Garros, but on hardcourt Djokovic has been extremely impressive over the past year. The tennis spread betting odds make him the clear favourite for success, and it is hard to imagine anyone toppling him. For large periods of their Wimbledon showdown, Federer looked stronger, but Djokovic’s mental strength, relentless returning and lack of unforced errors saw him through. That should give him a huge psychological advantage over Federer at the US Open, while he also knows he can take down Nadal on hardcourt.
It is likely to follow a predictable pattern, which sees the Big Three annihilating their opponents before meeting in the latter stages of the tournament. Only then does the excitement ratchet up. The youngsters continue to give underwhelming performances at Grand Slams, and it becomes a procession for Djokovic, Nadal and Federer until they lock horns with one another in the semis and the final.
Unforeseeable Women’s Game
Against that backdrop, it is wonderful to see such an open, exciting and unpredictable women’s game. Ten players have shared the last 12 Grand Slams. Only Simona Halep and Naomi Osaka have won more than once in that time. Halep triumphed at the 2018 French Open and at Wimbledon last month. The Romanian is the second favourite to win the US Open and that looks like a good bet after she wiped the floor with Serena Williams in the Wimbledon final. Osaka beat Williams in last year’s US Open final, and then she won the Australian Open earlier this year.
Williams is the favourite to win the US Open, but she has not added to her formidable tally of Grand Slams since she landed the 2017 Australian Open while pregnant. She has been intermittently brilliant since returning from a year-long absence, but she has occasionally struggled due to not have having enough matches under her belt. She has the power, experience and mental fortitude to win at Flushing Meadows, but she has not lost her last three Grand Slam finals and that opens the door for her rivals.
Reigning champion Osaka will be in the mix once again, while Ashleigh Barty might fancy her chances of success after winning at Roland-Garros. Yet the beauty of the women’s game is that it is so wildly unpredictable. Most of the top seeds have been eliminated by the time we enter the second week nowadays, and you can expect upsets aplenty at the US Open. It will also be fascinating to see Coco Gauff back in action after the 15-year-old went all the way to the fourth round at Wimbledon. She is expected to be handed a controversial US Open wildcard and she would receive strong support on home soil, so she could dazzle once more on the big stage.
It promises to be another thrilling tournament, and excitement will continue to mount as it looms ever closer on the horizon. When all is said and done, Djokovic should be one step closer to breaking Federer’s record, and the women’s game should have solidified its reputation for drama, upsets, excitement and intrigue.
