The men's draw for the US Open in 2024 is really exciting. As the best players battle for the year's ultimate Grand Slam, let's examine each quarter in detail, consider possible turning points, and forecast what should be an exciting competition.
Sinner is favored because of his strong game, but there are questions about his fitness in a best-of-five situation. He had lightheadedness and poor energy during his Wimbledon quarterfinal play against Medvedev, necessitating a medical stoppage. There were also concerns regarding his health due to a reoccurring hip ailment that manifested as evident agony during the Cincinnati Open. Sinner won that competition, but there were still doubts about whether he would compete in the championship match.
This quarter, Carlos Alcaraz (-280) is the most notable player. The youthful Spaniard is aiming for a third Grand Slam victory in New York, where he won his first major championship in 2022, after winning two earlier this year at Roland Garros and Wimbledon. Alcaraz, who is renowned for his aggressive play and superb court coverage, has a difficult draw with possible opponents in Sebastian Korda (+1200) and Alex De Minaur (+1000). Despite losing the Cincinnati Open early, Alcaraz is still the favorite in the betting because of his excellent season-long play and his prior US Open triumph.
Alexander Zverev (+110) is the front-runner in the third quarter and is looking to improve on his strong Grand Slam results from this year. Zverev, who has a 14-3 record and has been to the semifinals of both the Australian Open and Roland Garros, is a tough opponent because to his strong serve and groundstrokes. But consistency is going to be important because Taylor Fritz (+500), who advanced to the quarterfinals of the previous year's competition, is also in his quarter.
.jpeg)
The incumbent champion, Novak Djokovic (-250), is the overwhelming favorite to win this quarter and the second-best chance of win the entire event. With an Olympic gold medal won just last month, Djokovic has already achieved almost everything in ATP history. A 25th Grand Slam championship would be the ideal capstone accomplishment. The key question is whether, should he reach this goal, he would think about retiring. But Frances Tiafoe (+1200), who has routinely advanced to at least the quarterfinals over the previous two years, might provide fierce opposition for him.
Maldonado's Prediction: a Final appearance for Djokovic (-130)
Recently, Djokovic won the gold medal at the Olympics in Paris after outlasting Alcaraz with a masterful tactical showing. Not only did he win, but he did so in a style that was all his own. He dominated the direction and tempo of rallies, showing especially strong play in tiebreaks as he increased his aggression and accuracy. His return game was outstanding and his serve was excellent; this was the greatest Djokovic we've seen all year. While Alcaraz performed admirably, Djokovic was almost faultless.
With his sights set on a 25th Grand Slam championship and a comparatively easier draw, Djokovic has a good chance of winning the tournament (+210) if he applies the same level of concentration to the US Open. In order to further cement his place in the pantheon of tennis greats, Djokovic may be keen to accomplish the feat of winning the US Open, which would tie him with Roger Federer, Jimmy Connors, and Pete Sampras for the most titles in the Open era.