The 2016 US Open is well into its second week and many of the main contenders are still left standing. This represents the final Grand Slam event of the tennis calendar and Flushing Meadows is still considered one of the stellar venues in professional tennis. Some of the greatest names in the sport have been victorious there and in the men’s’ event, this was the venue that saw Andy Murray break through into the elite of the men’s game in 2012 when he secured his first slam.
Murray can now be considered a great player with three slams in total including two Wimbledon titles, two Olympic Gold medals, a Davis Cup victory and numerous other ranking titles. However, it is the threat from Novak Djokovic that poses the biggest obstacle to Murray landing a fourth slam. Murray first has to navigate his next hurdle though against Kei Nishikori, but SunBets don’t think that will be much of a problem quoting Murray at a very short 1/7.
Can Djokovic be Stopped?
Many people consider Djokovic at his best to be on a par with Federer at his peak, and given his phenomenal athletic ability, it is difficult to argue. Djokovic is rightly so the favourite and is a best priced 19/20 on Betfair in the overall winner market. With no less than 12 slams already in the bag and looking good to soon surpass players like Emerson, Nadal and Sampras to become the second highest slam winner in men’s Tennis, the question is will the 2016 US Open be slam number thirteen?
However, this tournament isn’t just about Djokovic and Murray, and there are a few who could spring a surprise in the men’s tournament should the two favourites fail to deliver. One such player is Stan Wawrinka, but that kind of depends on which Wawrinka turns up.
Wawrinka is twice a semi-finalist in New York and has two slams to his name after winning the Australian Open in 2014 and the French Open the following year. He faces Juan Martin Del Potro though, a very stiff test for him with Del Potro a firm favourite on this surface after winning here in 2009. In fact Del Potro can be backed at 8/13 with SunBets with Wawrinka at 5/4.
Overall though, the betting market doesn’t seem to see beyond Djokovic and Murray, and it’s hard to argue with that.
In the women’s event all eyes will be on Serena Williams to see if she can finish off yet another remarkable year. In what could be her final US Open she is well in contention and is 4/5 with Betfair. After winning three consecutive titles from 2012-2014 and six titles here in total, it’s hard to back against what could be the greatest female tennis player of all time.
Who Could Upset the Odds?
It was Flavia Pennetta who upset the odds last year in what was an all-Italian ladies final, and so Williams isn’t a cert here by any means. Williams faces Simona Halep next on Thursday September 8, and it is difficult to see anything other than a Williams victory. Halep has yet to win a slam, but did reach the French Open final in 2014 and the US Open semi-final in 2015. She is well respected on the ladies circuit and the price of 33/10 with Sporting Bet and 13/4 with 888 Sport may attract a few punters who may believe that Williams’ best days are behind her.
Second favourite Angelique Kerber may attract a few punters with many firms going 3/1 on her chances of landing her second slam following her win at the Australian Open in January this year. Kerber has never gone past the semi-finals here in New York and Ladbrokes, Boyle Sports and Betfair have her at an attractive 3/1 to take the tournament come Saturday. One thing is for sure though, as long as Serena Williams has a tennis racquet in her hand, she will still be the one to beat.
