DJOKOVIC looks the value in US Open

13 of the last 14 Grand Slam titles in the male game have been won by one of three players, Rafa Nadal (six), Novak Djokovic (five), Andy Murray (two) and it will be these three who contest the title again at the US Open, but which of the three to select?

Bookmakers make Rafa Nadal the favourite and he is a 2/1 (GENERAL) chance as he seeks his second US Open title, his first coming in 2010. The Spaniard will enter full of confidence having picked up wins in tournaments in Montreal and Cincinnati and with a 15-0 record on hardcourts this season is deserved favourite. I do have a few worries with backing Nadal as all of these wins have come in three set tournaments rather than five setters. Outside of his beloved French Open you have to go back to 2010 since he won a five set tournament and his body has undergone a lot of wear and tear since then. The draw seems to have been kind as he does not have Murray or Djokovic blocking his route to the final. That being said Ryan Harrison and Vasek Pospisil are dangerous early opponents while John Isner is a massive threat in the Fourth Round and old rival Roger Federer could be in line in the quarter-finals.

Novak Djokovic is a 9/4 (GENERAL) chance and despite a potential semi-final with Andy Murray I would much rather put the faith in his fitness and gameplay in a two-week tournament. The Serb was the winner in Australia, pushed Nadal to the limit in the semi-finals in France and was undone by an epic semi-final at Wimbledon. The extra rest day in the US Open schedule should mean he has no such problems here and put simply he is the best player of the hard surface in the modern game.

Andy Murray is the 17/4 (BWIN) third favourite as he looks to defend the title he won last year. The Brit has not performed to his best since winning Wimbledon though you should not read too much into that as he has long since learned not to worry about the smaller tournaments and concentrate on the big events..

BETFRED, boylesports and ladbrokes will refund losing bets if Murray wins which looks perfect. Take Djokovic with the added comfort blanket of a refund if Murray comes out on top at 2/1 (ladbrokes).

Outside these three exists another tier of three players who could all go well if things fell into place for them. Roger Federer is a 16/1 (paddy Power/STAN JAMES) chance which might tempt a few though with two losses to players outside the top 100 I think the price looks about right. Juan Martin del Potro is a former champion who can live with the best on his day and impressed at Wimbledon and is a 16/1 (STAN JAMES/YOU WIN) shot. Tomas Berdych is a 55/1 (YOU WIN) chance to win the event and having take Nadal to the limit recently in Cincinnati some people might fancy the Czech to go well.

The final bet I want to recommend is in the third quarter where it makes sense to take on David Ferrer. The Spaniard has only made the semi-finals in two of his ten appearances here (2007 and 2012) and looks an uneasy favourite. Jerzy Janowicz impressed at Wimbledon and the Pole looks value at 7/2 (ladbrokes/BWIN) as his big serve could go well on the New York courts. The same goes for Milos Raonic at 9/2 (GENERAL) as the Canadian looks to build on a recent final appearance at Montreal.

BEST OF THE BETS

GOLD: Novak Djokovic to win US Open, 2/1 (ladbrokes-money back if Murray wins)
SILVER: Jerzy Janowicz to win third quarter, 7/2 (ladbrokes/BWIN)
BRONZE: Milos Raonic to win third quarter, 9/2 (GENERAL)

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26/08/2013     © Frixo 2026