US Open: Djokovic odds drift after wobbly first round win
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World number one and US Open favourite Novak Djokovic has seen his odds of winning a third title at Flushing Meadows drift after a difficult first round victory.
The Serbian headed to Queens as evens favourite, but following an injury-disrupted four-set win over Jerzy Janowicz, the bookies now make Djoko 11/8.
Those new odds reflect Andy Murray’s seemingly enhanced chances, with the Scot now 13/8 from 2/1 ahead of his US opener against Lukas Rosol.
Djokovic, who had spoken of an injury to his left wrist before the tournament, had trouble with his right arm during the encounter with his Polish opponent.
In just the fifth game the 12-time Slam winner called for a medical timeout.
After lengthy treatment to the troubled limb, Djokovic won the opening set before a troubled second saw Janowicz level the match.
The world number one eventually came through in four sets, but there is a growing suspicion that all is not right with the Serbian.
And even if Djoko fights off the injuries for his second round clash, his opponent is a man with recent history of causing him problems.
Djokovic has already lost to Jiri Vesely this year – at the Monte Carlo Masters – and as such, the Czech player is one of the few men on Earth with a 100 per cent win ratio versus the Serb.
The bookies make a repeat victory a 9/1 shot, and with Djokovic seemingly far below his best right now, it may not be the most surprising upset of the week should it occur.
But if you fancy the 28-year-old to roar back into life, a 3-0 Djoko win is 7/20, while it’s 15/4 Vesely repeats Janowicz in going down 3-1.
A five-set thriller ending in Novak’s favour is 11/1.
