US Open Betting Tips & Analysis – 28th August to 10th September 2017

2017 has been another exciting year in the world of tennis. In both the men’s and women’s games we’ve seen injuries and a loss of form to some of the best players in the world provide opportunities to the hungry up and comers. Case in point, no player has won more ATP Tour titles in 2017 than 20 year old Alexander Zverev while 22 year old Elina Svitolina has won the most WTA titles.

However, when it comes to the Grand Slams the cream has risen to the top. Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal extended their dominance at Wimbledon and Roland Garros respectively while Federer also won the Australian Open at the start of the year as he cemented his status as pure tennis legend evermore solidly.

In the women’s game, Serena Williams won in Australia before taking maternity leave and Garbine Muguruza overpowered the field at Wimbledon. Jelena Ostapenko’s win in the French Open is arguably the only shock Grand Slam victory of the season but will that change at the upcoming US Open?

Who Will Win The Men’s Singles Title?

There’s already been plenty of drama before a ball has even been hit in anger at Flushing Meadows. A great deal has been said about the physicality required to compete at the top level of tennis but be prepared to hear a lot more about it. The list of players who have pulled out of the US Open through injury includes Novak Djokovic, Stan Wawrinka, Kei Nishikori and Milos Ranoic.

Each of those high profile withdrawals would fancy their chances of a surge into the latter stages of the tournament at least and you’ve got to think that their withdrawal makes the task that much easier for the big guns still in the draw.

As a former US Open champion and, until recently, the number one ranked player in the world, Andy Murray must be fancying his chances of picking up another Grand Slam. The British number one certainly has a world class hard court game but his own struggles with a hip injury means he hasn’t played competitive tennis since being knocked out of Wimbledon by Sam Querry.

At a general price of 7/1, Murray doesn’t offer what you’d call eye catching betting value. As such, when it comes to picking a winner for this year’s US Open it’s hard to look beyond the two men who have already won Grand Slams this year.

There is little doubt that in winning the French Open, Rafa Nadal played the best tennis of his career. Stan Wawrinka was blowing opponents away with some of the best clay court tennis seen for years but even he was nowhere near a match for Nadal. That performance sent the Spaniard into Wimbledon on a high but he was unable to find top gear and we could see something similar at Flushing Meadows. In contrast, Roger Federer was supreme at Wimbledon and is in great shape to win the US open for the first time since 2008.

Eyebrows were raised when Federer announced that he was skipping Roland Garros to focus on the grass court season but he was fully vindicated with his record eighth Wimbledon title. Not only did the Swiss show all of his technical brilliance but he was fresher than his opponents and it showed. Now 36, Federer has to carefully manage his schedule and after feeling a twinge in his back he immediately pulled out of the Cincinnati Masters. That precautionary move should ensure Federer is in tip top shape in New York so back him to win the title at 6/4 with Ladbrokes.

Betting Tip – Roger Federer at 6/4 with Ladbrokes

Outsiders, Each Way Tips and Other Bets

Alexander Zverev’s impressive season to date has earmarked him as the rising star with the potential to dominate tennis when Federer, Nadal, Djokovic and Murray finally leave (or are forced off!) the stage. He’s beaten some of the biggest names in the world this year but the US Open still looks a step beyond him at this point. If you think the German sensation can make his big breakthrough you can back him at 8/1 with Sky Bet but a better option could well be Grigor Dimitrov who is a tempting 18/1 with Betfred.

Dimitrov knows all about being hyped up as a young player. The Bulgarian was compared to Roger Federer in the early part of his career but he’s been a frustrating player to follow given the huge talent that he’s blessed with. Despite all his foibles, Dimitrov remains a popular player and his first win in an ATP 1000 Masters event last week in Cincinnati was very well received.

He showed some of the touches of brilliance that he’s known for but his win in the final against Nick Kyrgios displayed a level of patience and maturity that had previously been lacking. Dimitrov’s best performances in the Grand Slams have come on the back of good form in the weeks before and he looks a dangerous dark horse at 18/1.

Who Will Win The Women’s Singles Title?

The women’s draw for the US Open has not been as affected by injury as the men’s draw but that doesn’t simplify things any more from a betting perspective. There are any number of players in the draw capable of getting into the second week and when you get a good run of results anything is possible at this standard of tennis.

We had an equally competitive betting market ahead of Wimbledon but Garbine Muguruza made a mockery of the odds to come through the field like a steam train. With her Fed Cup captain, Conchita Martinez, in her corner, Muguruza showed the combination of technical ability and mental strength to win one of the biggest titles in world tennis.

Martinez has since stepped away to allow Muguruza’s regular coach, Sam Sumyk, to return now that his wife has given birth to their first child. He was delighted to see the 23 year old Spaniard warm up for the US Open with victory in Cincinnati and she has promptly been installed as the bookies’ favourite at a best price of 9/2 with BetVictor. However, could the value actually lie with Simona Halep, the woman who Muguruza comprehensively beat in that Cincinnati final?

We’ve known for a long time that Halep has one of the most complete games in women’s tennis. The problem is she has long been held back because of a negative attitude that does her no favours on court. Her attitude actually caused her respected coach, Darren Cahill, to quit. The Australian has subsequently returned after gaining assurances that Halep would change her ways but he was frustrated to say the least about her defeatist demeanour during the 6-1, 6-0 defeat against Muguruza.

The way that she threw the final away is of course a concern for anybody thinking of backing Halep but there was a good sign at the end of the match. The Romanian went up to her entire coaching staff and embraced them in what looked to be a thank you as much as a mea culpa. With such an obvious reminder of what happens when she gets down on herself, Halep could be a very dangerous player in Flushing Meadows. She knows a strong week will see her reach the top of the world rankings and if she starts well, Halep could go all the way and win at a tempting price of 9/1 with Bet365.

Betting Tip – Simona Halep at 9/1 with Bet365

Outsiders, Each Way Tips and Other Bets

Johanna Konta hasn’t been able to find her best tennis since being knocked out of the semi final of Wimbledon but she did look good in the early rounds at Cincinnati before running into Halep in full steam. Hard court tennis should suit Konta given her strength from the back of the court. The British number one hits her ground strokes as well as any of her competitors and with a couple of solid performances at the US Open already, she’ll be feeling confident about finding her A game during another Grand Slam. It’ll be tough to go all the way but Konta looks worth a small stakes play at 11/1 with Ladbrokes.

Caroline Wozniacki is another player with a very good game on hard courts who looks worth a punt for the US Open. The Dane made it to yet another final recently in Toronto but once again she was unable to get the win that she so desperately craves. Despite a lack of wins, Wozniacki is experienced enough to know that her game is in good shape and she’ll take heart from another good run through the field. At a very fair price of 20/1 with Coral, Wozniacki could be set to take her general form into a Grand Slam.