US Open: Djokovic and Alcaraz on track for men’s final
Published:
Medvedev 9/1 in US Open odds after Rublev rout
There are just four men standing at the 2023 US Open as Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic remain on a collision course for a place in the final.
Djokovic has won his last two matches in straight sets and is odds-on to win a fourth US Open title to make it a record-extending 24 grand slams overall.
We’re taking a look at the semi-finalists and their US Open odds.
Novak Djokovic
Djokovic broke another record with his 6-1 6-4 6-4 victory over Taylor Fritz, reaching the last four of a grand slam for the 47th time, surpassing Roger Federer’s tally.
The 36-year-old Serb faces new kid on the block Ben Shelton in the semi-final in what will be their first meeting and starts as a 1/14 favourite.
Djokovic survived a scare in round three, fighting back from two sets down against Laslo Djere, but energy-conserving wins against Croatian qualifier Borna Gojo and Fritz have been crucial in the searing heat of New York.
Chances: A clash with Wimbledon champion Alcaraz in the title decider looks inevitable. Djokovic fought back from a set down and saved match point in the Cincinnati Masters final against the Spaniard last month, so he has a slight edge should the pair meet on Sunday.
Carlos Alcaraz
The defending champion breezed past Alexander Zverev in the quarter-finals to become the second man in the Open era, behind Andre Agassi, to reach the last four at Flushing Meadows three times before turning 21.
Standing in his way of a second successive grand slam final appearance is Daniil Medvedev, a player he has beaten in straight sets twice this year – Indian Wells and Wimbledon – so he has the advantage and is unsurprisingly 1/4 to prevail.
Chances: It’s a flip of a coin should he meet Djokovic in the final. Let’s hope the heat and humidity do not spoil what should be a magnificent occasion.
Daniil Medvedev
Medvedev started the tournament as 9/1 in the outright betting and remains that price despite reaching the US Open semi-finals for the fourth time in five years.
Knowing he has to beat Alcaraz and Djokovic to repeat his 2021 victory – his only grand slam success – explains why his odds are unchanged and he will be hoping for a cooler temperature than that from his straight-sets victory over good friend and Russian compatriot Andrey Rublev.
Both players struggled in the conditions and Medvedev was heard speaking to the camera that someone could die in the 90-degree heat they experienced on Arthur Ashe.
Chances: A semi-final exit seems inevitable.
Ben Shelton
Shelton was 66/1 to win the title before his quarter-final victory over fellow American Frances Tiafoe, but those odds have now been halved.
The big-serving 20-year-old from Atlanta reached the quarter-finals at the Australian Open but has now gone one better ahead of his first meeting with Djokovic.
Chances: Asking a lot to beat one of the greatest players of all time.
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication
