2020 US Open Rundown
With the US Open starting today I have decided to write a brief overview of some of the players and storylines in it. I will cover just the Men’s draw, and hope to provide some players to watch, etc what you would normally see in this kind of article. I’ll also try to provide some betting tips along the way. There will be a conclusion at the end regarding the betting; feel free to skip to it. Lets jump right into it.
Section 1
If you want to look for the overwhelming favorite for this entire tournament look no further then the number one overall seed sitting in section 1, Novak Djokovic. Any loss before the quarterfinal for him would be shocking, however there are a few players here that could make things difficult for him. The big serving American John Isner is in this section, as well as Pablo Carreno Busta and Kyle Edmund. While I don’t see either of them beating Djokovic they could push him.
Winner: Djokovic
One to Watch: Isner- If you like to watch big serving this is the guy to watch.
Section 2
Section 2 is much more wide open. The highest seed in Section 2 is 7th seeded David Goffin, and he drew a tough Round 1 matchup with Riley Opelka. If any of the top 8 seeds lose round 1 this would be my guess. In addition this group also has Denis Shapovalov as well as Taylor Fritz and Filip Krajinovic. This one is wide open, though if I had to guess I would guess Shapovalov. Both he and Fritz are looking to make a breakthrough on the Grand Slam Stage.
Winner: Shapovalov
One to Watch: Fritz
Section 3
Section 3 is also pretty open. Tsitsipas is the clear favorite here as the 4th overall seed in the entire tournament but he has struggled especially on the big stage of tournaments only reaching the quarterfinals once in his young career. There are a number of people here that can challenge him including Coric and Lajovic. Garin has also been in good form lately, however he tends to be more of a clay court player.
In the end though this is Tsitsipas to lose and he should be the favorite here.
Winner: Tsitsipas
One to Watch: Lajovic
Section 4
Section 4 should be contested between 2 players: Alex Zverev and Diego Schwartzman. Looking at the draw it appears Schwatzman has an easier route; Zverev drew former finalist Kevin Anderson round 1 which could be a challenge for him. Though Anderson is getting old he still hits a great serve and if he gets it going he could beat Zverev. Hubert Hurkacz also is a good guy to watch, as he had to get through qualifying last year to reach the main draw and this year he makes it as a seeded player. He’s looked good and I could see him making a run here.
Winner: Schwartzman
One to Watch: Hurkacz
Section 5
Section 5 looks like a pretty interesting section. The favorites to progress from the group are either Matteo Berrettini or Andrey Rublev. They have both been in good form, and one of them or Benoit Paire will likely be progressing. Personally I tend to lean towards Berrettini, it just feels like he has better weapons and if he’s on his game he should win.
Winner: Berrettini
One to Watch: Paire
Section 6
The big name in section 6 is last year’s Finalist Daniil Medvedev. He lost a heartbreaking final to Nadal last year and is one of a few players that I could see upsetting Djokovic this year. Joining him is Grigor Dimitrov Feliciano Lopez and Frances Tiafoe. This is a pretty strong bracket and I could definitely see the winner of this group making a deep run in the tournament.
Winner: Medvedev
One to Watch: Feliciano Lopez
Section 7
Section 7 here is very heavily contested. There are a lot of big names on this side of the bracket. The highest seed here is Bautista Agut, however I would be surprised if he won this bracket. He plays Tennys Sandren round 1 who should be a tough matchup. Former Wimbledon Finalist Milos Raonic, Alex Di Minaur, Ivo Karlovich, Sam Querrey and Karen Khachanov are all also on this side. It should be tightly contested but I see Di Minaur making his breakthrough here.
Winner: Di Minaur
One to Watch: Khachanov
Section 8
Section 8 is a 2 man race between Dominic Thiem and Felix Auger Alliasime. Andy Murray is also in this end of the bracket. Trying to make a comeback he should be a fun player to watch. If he and Auger-Alliasime meet in the second round that’s much watch tennis. Thiem has been good though and I see him winning here.
Winner: Dominic Thiem
One to Watch: Andy Murray
Bracket (Based on Winners Predicted Above)
QF #1: Novak Djokovic vs Dennis Shapovalov
Winner: Djokovic- Just a better player I do not see many players here being able to take him down.
QF #2: Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Diego Schwartzman
Winner: Tsitsipas- I feel that Tsitsipas wins a very close match here. I just feel like this could be Tsitsipas breakthrough will all of the players missing this tournament.
QF #3: Matteo Berrettini vs Daniil Medvedev
Winner: Medvedev- Medvedev is definitely the favorite from this side. He looked great in New York last year and I am looking to see him repeat that performance.
QF #4: Alex Di Minaur vs Dominic Thiem
Winner: Thiem- Made the Australian Open final in January, could see him with a big performance here.
SF #1: Novak Djokovic vs Stefanos Tsitsipas
Winner: Djokovic- While I could see Tsitsipas producing some magic here Djokovic is the favorite and I have to go with him here.
SF #2: Daniil Medvedev vs Dominic Thiem
Winner: Medvedev- I feel like Medvedev is comfortable playing in New York, and I can see him making another run to the final here.
Final: Daniil Medvedev vs Novak Djokovic
Winner: Djokovic- I think Medvedev loses a heartbreaker here. However, it is worth noting that the absence of fans could change some things here.
Gambling Overview
The odds that I will be basing my recommendations off of can be found to the left. As you can see Djokovic is the overwhelming favorite. He is the only grand slam champion that is ranked in the top 10 seeds. That being said you are not really getting good odds on him. Personally I would avoid betting for a winner here. The odds for Djokovic just are not good enough and the rest of the field is just too unpredictable. Gun to my head if I had to place a bet though I would do with Thiem. Thiem has looked very impressive this year including making the final of the Australian Open. (his first major final outside of Paris) and I could see him making moves here. That wraps this up. If you read this far I thank you, feel free to DM me if you have any other questions or just want to talk tennis.