It’s a two-horse race in my book to win the final Grand Slam of the tennis season when the US Open serves it up on Monday.
Personally, I’m all over 7/5 favourite Novak Djokovic to lift the trophy under the Flushing Meadow lights and win his second ‘Slam’ of the season.
His epic Wimbledon final victory over Roger Federer finally got the monkey of losing five of his last six Grand Slam finals off his back. More importantly to me it changed my life big-time. (How I beat the bookies for 630k on darts, Wimbledon and a nerve-wracking World Cup).
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He’s won five of his last seven Grand Slam titles on the hard court and is a five-time finalist at Flushing Meadows. Four of these have been reached consecutively – with his one victory (a stat which he will rectify this year!) coming in 2011 – beating Rafael Nadal in the final.
If Nole reaches the final this year – trust me he ain’t losing it. He won’t allow himself to. He would rather have his head shoved down a toilet than lose another US Open final.
After Djokovic lost to Nadal in the US Open last year I always felt he would win two Grand Slams this year. He’s halfway there (Wimbledon) with one to play.
I’m Fed up of this … what about Roger?
Most tennis punters and the sentimentalists among you are probably asking ‘What about Mr Federer?
Granted the 11/4 second favourite is most definitely the form horse in what I consider a two-horse race.
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He looked finished in 2013 – but is playing brilliantly again having just won the Cincinnati Masters – his third calendar title.
He has reached four finals in a row - including Wimbledon last month - and the draw has been kind to him as he avoids Andy Murray, (below) Stan Wawrinka and Djokovic until the final. However, it would take an incredible effort for a 33-year-old to win seven best of five-set matches.
But if Djokovic can’t do the business – Federer is the man. Simple as. I wouldn’t put you off backing either. Or both.
I coulda been a contender ….
I’m 100 per cent certain that Andy Murray is NOT going to be win the US Open. He hasn’t won a single title or beaten a Top 10 player all year. He may have beaten Djokovic in the 2012 US Open – but he is nowhere near the level of form required to win another Grand Slam.
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It will be the Australian Open next season at the earliest before the Scot competes for a Grand Slam again.
Stan Wawrinka overcame the status quo to win the Australian Open but it would be unbelievable if he clinched another Grand Slam victory. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga – who won this month’s Rogers Cup impressively (beating Djokovic, Murray and then Federer in the final) has only ever reached the quarter finals of the US Open.
I cannot see young gun Grigor Dimitrov going all the way just yet. It will be Wimbledon or next year’s US Open before the Bulgarian stakes his claim.
By the way – if you hear someone taunting Djokovic’s opponents during his matches – that will be me. I’m in New York to watch it and intend to give Djokovic a hug if I see him.
So best of luck with it. I hope the Serb delivers for you and me of course ….
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