Tennis Withdrawal?

---

The US Open starts soon, says Coral

Wimbledon residents suffering from tennis withdrawal don't have to wait long now; the US Open starts on August 25th, and as always promises two weeks of top quality action. Here we'll have a look at the chances of success for some of the world's top players. Odds are supplied by Coral and will be regularly updated as the tournament progresses.

The Tournament

The US Open has been contested since 1881 and has never missed a season; it's the only Grand Slam event that can boast an unbroken run. It was also the first to match the women's prize money to the men's, starting in 1973 when both champions won $25,000. This year's singles champions will walk away with $3,000,000 each, a $400,000 increase on 2013.

Men's Singles

Novak Djokovic, this year's Wimbledon champion, is unsurprisingly the favourite to triumph in New York at 5/4. His victory in SW19 put him first in the world rankings, replacing Rafael Nadal. However, he lost the French Open final to the Spaniard.

2013 Wimbledon hero Andy Murray is second favourite at 7/2. His 2012 US Open victory (over Djokovic) was his 100th Grand Slam match win. Murray has dropped in the rankings this year and currently lies 10th.

Rafael Nadal, second in the world, is priced at 5/1 after victory at the French Open in June. He beat Djokovic after losing the first set, having dispatched Murray fairly quickly in the semi-final.

There are plenty of long shots in the men's line-up. Latvia's Ernests Gulbis is one that catches the eye at 40/1. Gulbis made the semis of the French Open this year, and is currently ranked 12th, with a career high of 10th.

Women's Singles

Serena Williams heads the list of Women's Singles possibilities at 15/8. Twelve years elapsed between being awarded No. 1 ranking for the first time, and regaining it in July this year. A win in New York will make three US Opens in a row for Williams.

At 9/2 right now, Maria Sharapova looks good value as second favourite. The 27-year old Russian beat Williams at Wimbledon ten years ago. Sharapova won the French Open in June, beating Simona Halep.

Halep, currently world No. 2, is third favourite at 7/1, after a disappointing start to the year at the Sydney International. The Romanian lost her Wimbledon semi-final having sustained an ankle injury early on.

The draw for the 2014 US Open singles matches will be revealed on August 21st.

(Images courtesy of wikipedia)

Advertisement

October 1, 2014