The 2010 US Open that gets underway today is probably one of the most open events of the last ten years. Serena Williams is out injured and sister Venus appears to be on the slide. The betting odds are headed by two ladies who have made come backs after retirement. In the men’s event, Roger Federer is certainly not getting any younger, Rafael Nadal has not regained the superb form that saw him win tournament after tournament, and Andy Murray continues to promise yet not fully delivering.
Tennis betting is fairly wide open when it comes to the main contenders with Federer heading the betting at 9/4 followed by Murray and Nadal each at 18/5. From there it blows out with Djokovic the next best at 16/1. While it’s hard to see anyone outside this top group winning, it is the US Open and, as we saw last year, anyone can win.
Defending champ Juan Martin Del Potro is out through injury, however, the likes of Andy Roddick (18/1), David Nalbandian (20/1), Nikolay Davydenko (40/1) and even former number one Lleyton Hewitt (200/1) should not be dismissed. Hewitt’s odds are surprising given his good form at this level.
In the women’s tournament, defending champion Kim Clijsters is back to defend her title and online bookmakers have posted her favourite at 10/3. Maria Sharapova, another to come back out of retirement is second elect at 7/2. Caroline Wozniacki and Victoria Azaranka are next best at 15/2. Venus Williams has been kept safe at 9/1.
Of the rest, Elena Dementieva is good value at 22/1 along with Sam Stosur at 33/1. It should be remembered that Stosur is one of the few players to get the wood on both Williams sisters. Flavia Pennetta and Na Li are also worth a second look at around 50/1.
Who will win? It will be a tight tussle. Federer hasn’t don’t much this year and after being bundled out easily at Wimbledon you will have to take his fitness and attitude on trust. Nadal seems to be carrying niggling injuries that affect him in the second week of any major tournament. Andy Murray won well in Toronto defeating both Nadal and Federer along the way. The problem is, he did the same thing last year and was then rolled early at Flushing Meadow. I think he may be just a little better this year so we’ll back Murray.
In the women’s ranks – anyone can win. Clijsters won last year but has done little since. Sharapova has done reasonably well in satellite events without really shining. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Venus Williams do well along with Sam Stosur at big odds. However, Caroline Wozniacki seems to have the best form coming into this event and, at 15/2, looks to be the best bet. We’ll check back later in the weeks to see who’s still alive and what changes there are in the US Open betting odds.