US Open tips: Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz to continue epic rivalry at Flushing Meadows
- Derek Bilton
- 23 August 2023
Planet Sport's resident tennis guru Derek Bilton is practically salivating at the prospect of Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz going toe-to-toe in the last Grand Slam of the season.
All roads now lead to Flushing Meadows in New York and the final Grand Slam of the year.
In the men's event, Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz are the two names on everybody's lips after their rivalry reached new heights in Cincinnati at the weekend. After a spell-binding tussle lasting just shy of four hours, the Serb survived match point in the second set before grinding out a 5-7 7-6 (9-7) 7-6 (7-4) win. It is a win that means he is the slight betting jolly - 6/4 top price at the time of writing with UK bookmakers - for the US Open.
There is also a genuine argument that the shirt-ripping Serb is the greatest athlete in the history of sport given his body of work and the fact he can still perform at such a level at the age of 36. It truly defies logic what he is doing out there.
US Open suggested bet #1: Carlos Alcaraz to win the men's US Open at 6/4 (Planet Sport Bet)
To be fair the bookies can barely split them, with Nole 6/4 and Alcaraz only slightly bigger at 13/8. 2021 US Open winner Daniil Medvedev is a 9/1 shot and that looks half-tempting but I am not sure he is at the level of Messrs Nole and Carlitos at this moment in time.
Italy's Jannik Sinner is a more interesting alternative to the 'Big Two' at 12/1 when you factor in he was red hot in winning his first Masters 1000 title in Toronto recently (and made the quarter-finals in New York last season).
Yet the harsh reality is if you are looking to take on the World No 1 and World No 2 in New York, you are likely to do your money.
Despite a 16-year age gap there is probably a cigarette paper between the pair in terms of speed, ability, shot-making and mental toughness right now. Djokovic is bidding for a 24th Grand Slam so will be super motivated. However, you cannot ignore how Alcaraz took it to another level in their magnificent Wimbledon final. In a best of five set scenario - even against 'the greatest athlete in the history of sport' - my hunch is that the sensational Alcaraz will still find a way in New York and claim Grand Slam number three of a career that promises so much.
US Open suggested bet #2: Aryna Sabalenka to win the women's US Open at 5/1 (Planet Sport Bet)
The women's singles again looks wide open. We have had three majors so far in 2023 and three different winners. Aryna Sabalenka won in Australia, Iga Swiatek cruised to victory in the French Open and Marketa Vondrousova tore the script up by winning Wimbledon.
Top seed Swiatek is the betting favourite in the Big Apple - she is a 5/2 shout currently with several UK bookmakers - but two recent semi-final exits in Montreal and Cincinnati suggest she is far from unbeatable so that 5/2 looks plenty short. Vondrousova has looked a shadow of the player who won Wimbledon during the US hardcourt swing so far, while there are injury concerns over big-serving Elena Rybakina.
May I be bold? This is all about Sabalenka. There, I said it. She won in Australia and Indian Wells earlier this season so she has form. She was close to reaching the Wimbledon final too but tightened up against Ons Jabeur at just the wrong time.
May I be bold? This is all about Sabalenka. There, I said it. She won in Australia and Indian Wells earlier this season so she has form. She was close to reaching the Wimbledon final too but tightened up against Ons Jabeur at just the wrong time.
Sabalenka made the semis in New York last season and her huge power game will see her win loads of cheap points in the Big Apple. Her temperamental nature means she is a nightmare to bet on with any degree of confidence but I am pleading with punters to keep the faith and if she turns up in the mood, the Belarussian looks a cracking price at 5/1.
