US Open ATP Preview: Favorites Waging War
Step Aside Djokovic?
US Open picks could feature Carlos Alcaraz much more than Novak Djokovic, in an apparent changing of the guard.
A lot of questions could be answered at Flushing Meadows later this month as the fourth Grand Slam of 2023 plays out in New York.
Alcaraz is the young gun world number one, who is trying to speed up Djokovic’s retirement plans. However, as US Open predictions are likely to show, there is always an upset brewing.
Alcaraz Edges Favoritism
The sportsbook has Alcaraz at +120 to win the U.S. Open and Djokovic at +150, so there isn’t much between the two best players in the world.
To the eye, Djokovic is playing slightly better tennis during the American swing, but he hasn’t played as much as Alcaraz, who was upset by American Tommy Paul in the quarterfinals at the Canadian Open.
Most bettors expected better from the Spaniard, but he’s yet to peak, which is dangerous for the opposition.
He got his revenge on Paul when winning 7-6, 7-6, 6-3 at the Cincinnati Masters, but he hasn’t been winning convincingly, which opens the door for Djokovic to start the US Open as the favorite.
“It was a really tough match. We were playing a really close match before the rain came. But I think I did pretty well [dealing with] the wait in the gym, warming up,” Alcaraz said.
“I told everyone that I really wanted [to win], since I lost in Toronto. I came here in Cincinnati and I’m really happy with the level. I think I’m getting better and better.”
History suggests betting against one of the big three (Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal) in grand slams isn’t a smart betting strategy with sport betting markets. However, bookmakers look at Alcaraz’s U.S. Open in 2022 as the best guide.
We think whoever performs best in Cincinnati will be the favorite to win, so it could pay to jump on the line before it moves.
Novak Djokovic is the sweetest and simply the best 😍🥹❤️
pic.twitter.com/rIhM7MTjAa— Kelly #23 🏆🐺🐊 (@kellsprivate3) August 17, 2023
Medvedev Worth a Wager
Rule out Daniil Medvedev at your peril. The sometimes forgotten Russian superstar is a +450 chance to win the US Open, which is a great price for a hardcourt specialist.
He might have been beaten by Alex Zverev in the Cincinnati Masters, according to US Open news, but he always ramps up his play when it counts.
The 27-year-old has only one Grand Slam title on his record, but that came at the 2021 US Open, so it’s a tournament he knows well.
Tennis odds have Medvedev at a price worth taking, and although he will likely need to beat Alcaraz or Djokovic at some point, he has the power ground strokes to keep up with them.
Fellow Russian Andrey Rublev is a +4000 chance, which is crazy odds given his natural ability. He might not win as often as Medvedev, but when his confidence levels are up, Rublev is one of the best in the world.
Bettors could take both Russian players to win, which isn’t the worst US Open betting strategy.
Check out our ATP Tour experts picks predictions and betting lines, place your best bets now and win big at BetUS.
An Unheralded Winner?
There is always room for an upset in the US Open, and although less common in the modern era, there are some players good enough to produce the upset.
We have two players who could make waves in the men’s division, namely Zverev, who endured some rough years.
The German went through some injury and personal problems, but he’s putting himself in the mix by playing every tournament available.
He has already scored some upset wins during the American swing, so the +2200 underdog could relive his best tennis and win the US Open.
Another player with winning potential is Hubert Hurkacz. He has played well this summer, and his only barrier is going five sets against the best players in the world.
However, he is talented enough to give bettors a good sight at +4000. There are much worse bets, including Matteo Berrettini (+2500) and Holger Rune (+1600), so bettors could climb into those odds.
