US Open Men’s Outright: Prediction, Tips and Odds

The final Grand Slam of the year sees the players head Stateside for the US Open and Racing Post’s Aaron Ashley has picked out his best bets in the men’s event as he bids to sign out the season in style.

Novak Djokovic returns to New York hoping to make it a successful title defence following last season’s victory over Daniil Medvedev and he will be in high spirits after claiming the gold medal at Carlos Alcaraz’s expense at this summer's Olympics.

The draw has been kind to the Serbian, who avoids world number one Jannik Sinner, fierce rival Alcaraz and last season’s runner-up Medvedev until the final, and he has been well supported in the betting as a result.

However, Alcaraz has won the last two Grand Slam titles at the French Open and Wimbledon and will believe he has what it takes to avenge that recent form while Sinner will be buoyed by last week’s title triumph in Cincinnati.

Medvedev has more to do with him facing a potential route of Sinner, Alcaraz and Djokovic but he was champion at Flushing Meadows in 2021 and has made two further finals.

US Open Men’s betting tips and predictions

Carlos Alcaraz to win men’s US Open - 2/1

The case for backing Djokovic is an obvious one given he avoids his three biggest rivals until the final, he is the defending champion and was a winner last time out at the Olympics at Roland Garros.

Djokovic should also be refreshed, having skipped events in Montreal and Cincinnati, but the 37-year-old isn’t the formidable force he once was so it may not be the gilt-edged opportunity it initially appears.

Firstly, the Serbian has yet to win a Grand Slam title this season and, for all his success, only four of his 24 major titles have come at the US Open with his busy summer schedule often hampering his chances Stateside.

Even then, there are plenty of early obstacles lying in his way with Montreal champion Alexei Popyrin and home favourites Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe - both of whom have made a US Open semi-final within the last two seasons - potential opponents before the quarter-final.

The reliable Alexander Zverev could be waiting in the last eight and he is still likely to have to face one of Sinner, Alcaraz or Medvedev in the title decider, so there are legitimate grounds to take him on.

Sinner roared back to form with his title success in Cincinnati last time out but the top seed has made only one quarter-final from five trips to Flushing Meadows, while Alcaraz has won four of their last six meetings which includes at the US Open two years ago.

That makes Alcaraz the man to side with, especially given he has won the last two Grand Slam titles at the French Open and Wimbledon, clearly peaking for the showpiece events.

In fact, the 21-year-old has won four of his last seven Grand Slam appearances, which includes winning this title in 2022, and he does have the benefit of avoiding Sinner and Medvedev until the semi-finals.

Prior to that, Alcaraz’s most difficult route would feature clashes with Jack Draper, Sebastian Korda and Hubert Hurkacz, all of which should be relatively comfortable for him in peak form, and key to his prospects is his ability to bounce back from setbacks.

The Spaniard crashed out at the first hurdle in Cincinnati, losing in three sets to Gael Monfils, but prior to winning at Wimbledon he had suffered a last-16 exit against Draper in his final preparation events at Queen’s Club.

His victory at the French Open in June also came following a quarter-final elimination against Andrey Rublev in Madrid, all of which suggests he tends to save his peak performance for the biggest of occasions, and he should be trusted to put his best foot forward.

Taylor Fritz to win men’s US Open each-way - 50/1

If there is to be a surprise package at this season’s US Open then home ace Taylor Fritz may be the man to spring it, given his recent consistency in major competitions.

Three Americans made the quarter-finals last season and Fritz was one of those and, although he was beaten in straight sets on that occasion by Djokovic, his big serve is too potent to ignore on this speedier surface.

Fritz has made the quarter-finals of the Australian Open and Wimbledon this season, too, and home-court advantage can be an extremely useful tool in New York, where Americans are renowned for getting behind their own.

The 12th seed will need plenty to fall right but, still only 26, his peak years are yet to come and he has a very workable draw.

Fritz is fancied to at least make the quarter-finals given the most dangerous seeds in his mini-section of the draw are the inconsistent Ugo Humbert and 2022 runner-up Casper Ruud, who is usually far more dangerous on a slower surface.

A quarter-final clash with Zverev could be on the cards but Fritz defeated the German at Wimbledon last month and has won three of their last four hard-court meetings.

Djokovic would be a problem in the last four but at 50/1 he looks overpriced, especially if bettors also back him to come through the third quarter.

Read more tennis betting tips and predictions on site.

US Open Men's outright odds

Novak Djokovic - 7/4
Carlos Alcaraz - 2/1
Jannik Sinner - 3/1
Alexander Zverev - 9/1
Daniil Medvedev - 16/1
Andrey Rublev - 40/1
Stefanos Tsitsipas - 50/1
Holger Rune - 50/1
Taylor Fritz - 50/1

View the full market and more odds for US Open Men’s on site.

This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.