MEN Novak Djokovic opened his account in New York City with an emphatic victory over his first-round opponent; Frenchman Alexandre Muller. The 23-time Slam winner gave up only 5 games as he won his opener 6-0, 6-2, 6-3. The 36-year-old continued with his brutal dominance in the second round, too, as he saw off world No. 76 Zapata Miralles 6-4, 6-1, 6-1 in 122 minutes. After beating Carlos Alcaraz in the Cincinnati final in what was one of the best matches in recent times, the two favorites look set to rekindle their budding rivalry at the U.S Open. Read Also: [Novak Djokovic’s 24th Slam is still on the cards this year.](https://m.betking.com/blog/betting-tips/novak-djokovic-s-slam-24-is-still-on-the-cards/) The rivalry between these two is the biggest topic in Tennis. For us, it’s even more interesting this time around as Djokovic is after his 24th Slam title, whilst Carlos aims to defend his U.S Open title. While Alcaraz has shown that he needs to be taken seriously, we’re backing Djokovic to win his 24th Slam in front of the American crowd due to his easier side of the draw and the quality we all know he possesses.
Carlos Alcaraz is still just 20 years old but it’s ridiculous how mentally and physically fit he is despite the earlier injury struggles he had at the start of the year. He lost the Masters 1000 final in Cincinnati against Novak Djokovic, and with the projections on both players being expected to face off again in the final, Carlos will be fully prepared for revenge. Beating Djokovic at Wimbledon will give the Spainard a mental boost and we have him priced at amazing value to add another slam to his cabinet. Alcaraz is through to the second round of the US Open after Dominik Koepfer got injured and retired. He plays Harris Lloyd in the second round and is expected to see off the South African. He looks unbeatable whenever he plays and we think that outside Djokovic, this is the joint-favorite to win the U.S Open.
Dark Horse The dark horse has to be Daniil Medvedev. The Russian won the 2021 US Open title after he defeated Novak Djokovic to deny him a calendar slam. The rivalry between Alcaraz and Djokovic has kept extremely talented players like Medvedev under the radar, but it would be foolhardy to forget the quality he possesses, especially in these conditions. The Russian did not break a sweat in his quest for a second slam, as he saw off veteran Hungarian player Attila Balazs 6-1, 6-1, 6-0 dropping only two games in just 1 hour 17 minutes. He falls on the easier side of the draw and faces Christopher O’Connell in the second round. Medvedev remains one of the best returners on tour, with a spectacular forehand, and an astonishing skillset on the hard courts. You really cannot count him out right now, especially considering his success in this event just two years ago. There is an exceptional value in Medvedev winning the 2023 US Open, and historically, this is not a major that has mostly favoured big favourites. If anyone not named Alcaraz or Djokovic was to win it, Daniil Medvedev is a decent shout to claim the trophy.
Read on for our betting tips for the final slam of the year. WOMEN In Iga Swiatek’s match against Rebecca Peterson, she absolutely dominated the Swede, winning 6-0 6-1 in just 59 minutes. The world No. 1 defeated Daria Saville in straight sets too (6-3, 6-4). She struggled a little against the Australian (she got broken thrice and did not save any breakpoints), but with her incredible returns, you expect her to get the breaks back, which she did almost immediately. The Pole has been merciless as always and will be determined to defend her title here in pursuit of her 5th major. She is projected to meet Coco Gauff in the quarterfinals, which would be a chance to avenge her loss in Cincinnati this year where Coco beat her 7-6(7-2), 3-6, 6-4 in 2 hours 52 minutes to advance to the final. If the two end up meeting again, Iga should have the edge over Gauff; she had won their last 7 meetings (14-0 in sets) before the Cincinnati semifinals, a clear dominance in the match-up if they meet again. On current form, the Pole is too strong and is our favourite for that theoretical matchup. As always, you can expect BetKing, the best online sports betting platform in Nigeria, to provide high odds on Iga Swiatek and other tennis players at the U.S Open.
Coco Gauff has won five WTA singles tournaments. Of those five wins, she won three this season, with the most recent win being the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati where she beat Iga Swiatek and Karoline Muchova on her way to victory making the 19-year-old the youngest champion in the tournament’s history. The American came into this year’s US Open as the 6th seed and opened her campaign with a dramatic comeback against Laura Siegemund, beating the German 3-6, 6-2, 6-4. The home favourite has been on a hot streak and extended her streak to seven wins, as she defeated the impressive 16-year-old Mirra Andreeva in the second round of the US Open. Coco had a breakdown in the first set but rallied to win . 6-3, 6-2 in straight sets. She will be aiming for her first major here and with the backing of the American crowd, the intensity she is currently playing with, and her much-improved forehand (her obvious weakness in recent years), she is worth a punt to go all the way in New York.
Other notable mentions who are expected to have a good run are No. 5 seed Ons Jabeur ([18.00](https://m.betking.com/sports/events/outright/tennis/us-open/us-open-womens-outright))who endured a heartbreaking loss at Wimbledon earlier this year, No. 4 seed Elena Rybakina ([7.25](https://m.betking.com/sports/events/outright/tennis/us-open/us-open-womens-outright)), and No. 2 seed Aryna Sabalenka([4.50](https://m.betking.com/sports/events/outright/tennis/us-open/us-open-womens-outright)) who have all progressed to the second round. Dark Horses Jessica Pegula is an interesting pick as a dark horse. She might not have gotten past the quarterfinals of any majors yet, but she falls in the easier half of the draw and has been on top form this year. She has won 8 of her last 10 matches and opened her US Open campaign with an impressive win over Camila Giorgi of Italy 6-2, 6-2. The third seed hit 28 winners and was unscathed throughout the game. One thing Pegula has going for her is the support of the home crowd who will be rooting for the New York-born and raised player to win. If there is any better chance for the home favourite to go deeper in the majors, the time is now, and you can back her at high odds to win her first slam in front of her home crowd.
Some players continue to improve on tour but may have not tasted the entire success yet, and you just never know. The likes of Frances Tiafoe ([35.00](https://m.betking.com/sports/events/outright/tennis/us-open/us-open-mens-outright)) and Jannik Sinner ([14.00](https://m.betking.com/sports/events/outright/tennis/us-open/us-open-mens-outright)) are also expected to do well at the U.S Open. Sadly, this will be the end for veterans of the sport like John Isner ([45.00](https://m.betking.com/sports/events/outright/tennis/us-open/us-open-mens-outright)) who announced that he would retire after the US Open. [Sign up](https://m.betking.com/account/registration) with BetKing for a chance to get insane value for your money betting on U.S Open prematch and live matches today!