An Early Look at the 2018 US Open

The US Open in Flushing Meadow, NY is once again upon us. This is the by far the most significant tennis event in the United States and one of the most coveted Grand Slams in the world. Although we have no idea as to what the draw will look like, according to Heritage Sports, the top contenders to win the 2018 US Open are Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, and Alexander Zverev.

We’ll get a better idea as to how this could all shakedown on August 20th when the Qualifying Tournament Draws are available.

Rafa Nadal

Nadal is listed at +470 or 5.7 to hoist the trophy. Rafa won it all last year, and he also won in 2010 and 2013, so he is no stranger to going deep in this venue. He has already taken four titles this year, but all were on his preferred surface, clay.

Roger Federer

Roger Federer is 4 to 1 or +400 to take his first US Open since his epic five-year run that lasted through 2008. Kevin Anderson gave Federer an early exit in London a couple of weeks ago. The quarter-final defeat came as a shock after Roger put together 34 straight set wins. But Court One was his enemy, and Federer errored his way out of the tournament.

Novak Djokovic

The Serbian phenom is looking to put together back to back Grand Slams. The list of players to win Wimbledon and follow up at Arthur Ashe Stadium is short. Novak did it in 2015 and 2011. Nadal did it in 2010, and Federer did it in 2007, 2006, 2005, and 2004 which is a feat we may never see again. Novak is listed at +320 or 16/5 (4.2) to take further ink his name into the history books.

Andy Murray

Andy Murray defeated Novak Djokovic in the 2012 US Open Finals to win his first American Grand Slam. In 2018 he sits at 12 to 1 or +1200 to push past the crowd and hoist the trophy once more. Murray is fresh off of hip surgery, so I don’t think he’ll be at a full 100%, but we can’t count him out completely.

Alexander Zverev

Zverev went into Wimbledon as the No. 4 seed but was knocked out in the Round of 32 by Ernests Gulbis. I’m not really sure why the Zverev is at 12 to 1, and the 5th Ranked Kevin Anderson who was the Wimbledon runner-up is still at 50 to 1 to win the US Open. Sure, Zverev is Ranked #3 but he has yet to win a Grand Slam and I think his anxiousness and desire to do so is what is going to keep him from winning one for a while. He is young, and the emotions involved with playing in Majors events is still too much. That said, he will win more than his share in the coming years.

The Sleeper

So now we know who the money is following in the US Open next month. But what actually happens remains to be seen. I feel like the giant South African is going to put on another fantastic show. He seems to be able to defeat any mental jitters and has the strength of will to push through marathon like play. I would not at all be surprised to see Kevin Anderson make it at least to the semis, if not play in the Final against one of the big three, Nadal, Djokovic, or Federer.