The excitement of the 2023 US Open is about to unfold at the Arthur Ashe Tennis Center in Queens, marking one of the most anticipated events in the sports calendar.
Judging by the events of the past six weeks, tennis enthusiasts are in for a spectacular treat as the tennis season approaches its climax.
Unsurprisingly, the men’s tournament is being viewed by bookmakers and tennis aficionados alike as a showdown primarily between Novak Djokovic (+130) and Carlos Alcaraz (+160).
These emerging rivals have clashed thrice since June, with their initial encounter in the French Open semifinals being a bit lackluster. However, their subsequent matches, the Wimbledon final and the Cincinnati Masters, have turned into memorable classics.
The US Open always carries an air of excitement.
New York stands as one of the world’s premier tennis cities, and this championship possesses the potential to deliver a cinematic experience due to the strong contenders chasing Djokovic and Alcaraz.
Here are a couple of underdog contenders who could potentially shine brightly at Arthur Ashe:
With the top two favorites carrying odds below +175, the field offers a chance to wager on elite players with enticing odds.
While many seeking to challenge the favorites might gravitate towards Daniil Medvedev (+1000), Jannik Sinner (+1200), and perhaps Taylor Fritz (+5000), my approach ventures a bit further.
I’m opting to support a player who has struggled to make his mark on the grandest stages. Andrey Rublev has consistently reached the quarterfinals at every Grand Slam, with a total of eight appearances, including three at the US Open. However, the elusive semifinal berth has eluded him.
This 26-year-old Russian clinched his first Masters 1000 title this year, possibly alleviating some of the pressure from a player who unmistakably possesses the skills to seize a Grand Slam victory but has yet to break through.
Although Rublev’s draw poses challenges – he’s placed in Medvedev’s quarter and faces some formidable early opponents – his potential upside is so substantial that odds of 80/1 appear as an almost automatic opportunity at this stage of his career.
Matteo Berrettini appears to be resurging towards the top of his game. Despite a rocky 2023 season due to injuries and poor form, a strong performance at Wimbledon seems to have put Berrettini back on track.
The 27-year-old Italian has displayed prowess at every Grand Slam, with a notable runner-up finish at Wimbledon in 2021 and semifinal appearances at the Australian and US Opens. Berrettini has historically thrived at Flushing Meadows, with a final four, two quarterfinals, and a Round of 16 appearance in his last four visits to Arthur Ashe.
Berrettini and Rublev might cross paths in the third round, and the victor of that encounter could be well-positioned for a quarterfinal berth. Should there be some unpredictability on the opposite side of the bracket, the prospect of a dark horse advancing to the semifinals becomes plausible.
Curiously, Tommy Paul has been somewhat overlooked in the betting realm, despite an advantageous draw. He may be overshadowed by fellow Americans Taylor Fritz, Frances Tiafoe, and Sebastian Korda, but Paul has demonstrated consistent performance within this group lately.
In fact, Paul’s record suggests he’s been among the top players on the ATP Tour during the North American hard-court swing. His achievements include defeating Alcaraz on the way to the semifinals at the Toronto Masters and a competitive three-set match against the Spaniard in the Cincinnati Round of 16 the following week.
Paul holds an impressive 34-16 record in his last 50 matches on hard courts and reached the semifinals of the Australian Open in January.
Although top seed Holger Rune’s status is uncertain due to injuries, and the second seed in this quarter, Casper Ruud, is out of form, the fourth quarter of the draw appears open. It’s entirely plausible that Paul emerges as the ultimate survivor among these 32 players in the forthcoming weeks.
Disclaimer: The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No Digest Pulse journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.
