ATP US Open 1/64-Finals
Zhang – Draper: 27.08.2024 19:00 CEST
H2H: first meeting
Zhizhen Zhang has lost three of his last five matches. Last week in Cincinnati, Zhang lost his second round match against Rublev in straight sets. The Chinese player is looking for a good result here in New York to cement his top 50 spot. So far this season, Zhang has not had any remarkable results on the hard courts. However, last year at the US Open, Zhizhen defeated Casper Ruud in the second round and became the first Chinese player to defeat a top 5 player. Unfortunately for him, Zhang could not make it past the third round.
Jack Draper has won three of his last five matches. Last week in Cincinnati, Draper reached the quarterfinals where he lost against Rune in straight sets. En route to the quarterfinals, Jack won all of his matches in three sets, and struggled throughout the whole week. So far this season, Jack won his maiden title in Stuttgart, and finished as a runner-up in Adelaide at the beginning of the season. Draper is currently the best ranked British player, so the fans will expect him to perform in New York. Last year at the US Open, Draper reached the 1/8-Finals, when he lost against Rublev in four tight sets.
Best Bet to Make
According to the bookies, Zhang is the big underdog in this matchup. Draper did not perform well this season on the fast hard courts. Zhang is a solid server, so we believe that he will be able to win his service games easily.
That being said, Zhang covering the games handicap is a value bet.
Value bet/ the best odds: Zhizhen Zhang +4.5 games handicap @2.00 @bet365
Lajovic – Medvedev: 27.08.2024 20:00 CEST
H2H: 2-1
Dusan Lajovic has lost three straight matches. Lajovic is a solid clay court player, but he usually underperforms on the fast courts such as this one in New York. The main problem is his backhand preparation, where he needs a lot of time. His only preparation tournament for the US Open was two weeks ago in Cincinnati, where he failed to qualify. His last hard court win was in Indian Wells, earlier this season. Last year in New York, Dusan lost his opening match against Wu in five tough sets.
Daniil Medvedev has also lost three straight matches. Last week in Cincinnati, Daniil lost his opening match against Lehecka in straight sets. A week before that, Medvedev lost his first round match in Montreal as well. Daniil loves to play in New York. He won his only Grand Slam title here in 2021. He was also runner-up twice, once in 2019, and the second time last year, when he lost against Novak Djokovic.
Best Bet to Make
According to the bookies, Medvedev is the big favorite in this matchup. Both players are out of form, but Daniil is still a way better hard-court player than Lajovic. We believe that he will dominate from the very start, and win his opening match easily.
That being said, Medvedev covering the games handicap is a value bet.
Value bet/ the best odds: Daniil Medvedev -8.5 games handicap @2.00 @bet365
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
