Best Bets for US Open Men: Djokovic Attains GOAT Status
Is it a Two-Man Race?
We expect most US Open picks to involve Novak Djokovic or Carlos Alcaraz.
They are the best players in the world, and after beating Alcaraz recently, it’s Djokovic who has wrestled favoritism with the sportsbook.
Our US Open predictions give one player the advantage, but there is always room for an upset at Flushing Meadows.
The Rightful GOAT
Djokovic is the greatest player of all time. Yeah, we said it.
Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal might have been more likable, but the Serbian superstar has the most Grand Slam wins, and he’s not done.
The latest US Open news is positive following his win in the Cincinnati Masters. He was battling the heat, but his come-from-behind victory over Alcaraz confirmed his status at the top.
Alcaraz only needed to hold serve to win the match. However, Djokovic showed his fighting skills to peg the Spanish youngster back.
“Crazy. Honestly, I don’t know what else I can say. Tough to describe,” Djokovic told the media. “Definitely one of the toughest matches I’ve ever played in my life. Regardless of what tournament, what category, what player.
“Anybody who’s watching on the stadium or on the TV has seen that this rivalry just gets better and better. Amazing player, tons of respect for him.”
Djokovic was on the second line of sport betting markets, but he firmed to +120 for the US Open with the win in Cincinnati. He’s clear of Alcaraz, who currently trades at +170.
Novak Djokovic simply the one and only Goat 🐐🐐🐐pic.twitter.com/hxyYzBuNbe
— Kelly #23 🏆🐺🐊 (@kellsprivate3) August 24, 2023
Alcaraz Eyes Consecutive Titles
The sudden rise for Alcaraz started at the 2022 US Open, and he’s looking to defend his breakout title.
The 20-year-old might have been beaten by Djokovic recently, but it was another valuable learning experience.
He still has a lot to learn, but playing matches against Djokovic is only going to make him stronger. He showed that when beating Djokovic in a five-set thriller at Wimbledon, which holds him in good stead at Flushing Meadows.
Online gambling markets might have moved him from favorite to second favorite, but Alcaraz is the top seed, and he gets the easier run through to the final.
Picking Djokovic and Alcaraz to make the final is the best play, as the rest of the opposition hasn’t done enough to suggest otherwise.
Is Medvedev the Only Challenger?
Russia’s Daniil Medvedev is the only other player quoted at single-figure odds, which shows how dominant Djokovic and Alcaraz have been.
The 27-year-old has only one Grand Slam title to his name, which isn’t enough. He is far too talented to have just one big title under his belt. However, it came at the 2021 US Open, which bodes well for the next two weeks.
He has always been a better hard court player, so he endured the clay and grass seasons as well as he could. Now, it’s his time to strike, but we need to see more than what he offered in Cincinnati.
Medvedev was upset by Alex Zverev, who isn’t playing his best tennis, so that’s a worrying sign.
He also needs to beat a top-seeded player to make the final, likely Djokovic, but the +800 odds shouldn’t be overlooked completely.
Check the latest odds of the ATP San Marino Challenger
It Would Be Ruud Not To Mention Casper
Casper Ruud always has a chance to win a tennis tournament, so leaving him out at generous odds is a mistake.
Bookmakers have the talented Norwegianat +4500 to score an upset tournament win, but the World No. 5 can’t be overlooked.
His recent results might not encourage confidence, but the 24-year-old owns three runner-up finishes in Grand Slams, and finished second at the 2022 ATP Finals.
“I’m sitting here with 10 titles and all 250, I wouldn’t say it bothers me,” Ruud told the media. “Obviously I also want to try to win a bigger and more important title, it’s something I won’t hide.”
There is plenty of risk in backing Ruud, but given his current odds, he’s worth a shot.
