The US Open draw took place on Thursday morning and the favorites to win the final Grand Slam of the tennis calendar are expected. Champion IGA Świątek Novak Djokovic is the favorite on the women’s side, ahead of defending champion Carlos Alcaraz on the men’s side.
Świątek She is looking for her fifth Grand Slam title in three French Open titles, including this year’s and last year’s US Open. At this point, she is the favorite going into a Grand Slam, but not the favorite on clay.
On the men’s side, Djokovic and Alcaraz are neck and neck in every tournament they both enter. They are the two most popular of all people in New York. Alcaraz’s draw for this US Open looks a bit tougher than Djokovic’s, but both players will be clear favorites against any opponent until the finals.
US Open Women’s Singles Odds
Odds show little separation between Świątek and Aryna Sabalenka and a big gap beyond that. Sabalenka has as much talent as anyone on tour, but her inconsistency, especially with her serve, has hurt her against major players. Still, she has reached at least the semifinals in each of her last four majors and won her last hard-court major at this year’s Australian Open.
After the two, it’s even more crowded, with Elena Rybakina, Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula making up the next tier of contenders. Gauff had a shock first-round exit at Wimbledon but won the biggest tournament of her career last week in Cincinnati. Gauff made the quarterfinals at the US Open last year.
Pegula has made five Grand Slam quarterfinals in the past two years (and has six in her career) and lost them all.
US Open Men’s Singles Odds
Although Alcaraz defeated Djokovic in the Wimbledon final a month ago, Djokovic was ahead of Alcaraz. Although Alcaraz is the reigning champion, Djokovic was not in the field last year. Djokovic has won six of the last nine Grand Slams he’s entered (and made the last one in eight), so it makes sense that he remains the favorite right now.
Daniil Medvedev, who beat Djokovic in the 2021 final, is the third best in the event. Medvedev could meet Alcaraz in the semifinals.
Italy’s Janic Sinner made the quarterfinals at last year’s US Open and is making the semifinals at Wimbledon. After him, he fell off the cliff, so he was given a lot of respect in doubt. Alexander Zverev is next in odds to win the tournament, with twice the odds of Sinner. The men’s game is now all about favourites.
Highlights from the women’s singles
The first thing that stands out in the picture of the women is potential. Świątek-Gauff quarter finals. The best player in the world Świątek By winning a Masters-level tournament against an American. Gauff beat Świątek in the semifinals in three sets en route to her eventual win in Cincinnati. If we see it, it could be memorable stuff at the Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Another marquee quarter-final could be Sabalenka versus Ons Jabeur. Jaber Sabalenka won the semifinals at Wimbledon and both players are legitimate contenders in every tournament.
The first rounds also have some interesting matches. Caroline Wozniacki is in her first major since retirement. She made the second round in Montreal and lost in the first round in Cincinnati to prepare for this one. She will face a qualifier in the first round and face 11th seed Petra Kvitova in the second round.
2017 US Open champion Sloane Stephens will face French Open semi-finalist Beatriz Haddad Mia in an enthralling first-round match.
2021 finalist Leila Fernandez will open against 22nd seed Ekaterina Alexandrova. 2019 winner Bianca Andreescu will likely face the winner in the second round.
The main points of the men’s singles were drawn
Although Alcaraz should not see Djokovic through to the finals, Janic Ciner, Stan Wawrinka, Alexander Zverev and Andy Murray are in Alcaraz’s quarters. That might not be enough to claim Alcaraz’s chance, but it’s a tough road. Murray can meet Grigor Dimitrov in the second round, Zverev can wait for him in the third round. This part can be interesting.
No. 10 seed Francis Tiafoe has not made it past the third round of a Grand Slam this year, but made it past the semifinals last year. That run included a big win over Rafael Nadal, who hasn’t been in the field this year. Tiafoe could see No. 5 seed and 2022 finalist Casper Ruud in the fourth round, then No. 4 Holger Ruhn in the quarters.
After making the quarterfinals at Wimbledon, Christopher Eubanks is the No. 28 seed at the US Open. He could meet Stephanos Tsitsipas in the third round.
(Iga’s photo Świątek(Robert Prang/Getty Images)
