US Open preview: Medvedev poised to strike in New York

Daniil Medvedev bids to defend his US Open title as the final Grand Slam of 2022 gets under way at Flushing Meadows, New York.

We preview the two-week tournament and highlight the likely contenders.

Djokovic favourite but will he be there at all?

Novak Djokovic has had a tumultuous year. After being deported from Australia and missing the Australian Open, he then lost out in the quarter finals of the French Open to old adversary Rafael Nadal, with that rival going on to win and stretch two clear at the top of the all-time Grand Slam titles standings. However, such is the level of Djokovic’s determination and will to win, the Serb came roaring back at Wimbledon, winning a fourth straight title in SW19 and his 21st Grand Slam title.

He now stands one behind Nadal in the list to be crowned perhaps the greatest player ever and will surely see the US Open as a chance to level the scores. However, his participation at Flushing Meadows is far from certain.

If he is allowed to play, Djokovic looks a worthy favourite at 6/4. He hasn’t been seen in action since beating Nick Kyrgios in the Wimbledon final, but as we have seen on many occasions in the past he is more than capable of rising to the occasion when it comes to the Grand Slams.

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Strong chance Medvedev can win back-to-back titles

Medvedev looked imperious in last year’s US Open when swatting aside Djokovic in the final to win in straight sets, 6-4 6-4 6-4.

There’s no doubting the 26-year-old has the perfect game for the hard courts at Flushing Meadows. He is capable of utilising a range of styles – from aggressive baseline play to serve and volley – to get the better of his opponents. With his stealthy movement around the court and ability to find a killer angle it’s little wonder he has been nicknamed ‘Assassin’.

The Russian wasn’t allowed to compete at Wimbledon, but comes here as a strong 9/4 second favourite to defend his title, odds that will crash if Djokovic doesn’t line up. Despite winning at Los Cabos in Mexico this month he hasn’t quite been hitting his usual high standards. He lost to Kyrgios in the last 16 in Montreal before checking out at the semi final stage in the recent Cincinnati Open, when losing to Stefanos Tsitsipas. That was his third loss to the Greek player in their 10 career meetings and after his good run in Cincinnati, Tsitsipas could be a danger here at 12/1.

Nadal still struggling with injury

After being forced to withdraw from his Wimbledon semi final due to an abdominal muscle injury, Nadal returned in the Cincinnati Open recently. However, the all-time leading Grand Slam champion didn’t look himself as he slumped to a last 16 defeat to Croatia Borna Coric, the world number 29. That raised fears that Nadal might miss the championship at Flushing Meadows, a fact that is reflected in the four-time champion’s price at 5/1.

The up-and-coming Carlos Alcaraz (7/2) hasn’t had much luck since losing to Jannik Sinner (14/1) in the quarter finals of Wimbledon. He lost in the final in Hamburg later in July and again went down to Sinner at the same stage at Umag in Croatia. After struggling in Montreal and Cincinnati, the Spaniard will need to improve if this is to be his first Grand Slam win, but he has the explosive game that makes anything possible.

Nick Kyrgios (7/1) bounced back from his Wimbledon final defeat in style to take the Washington Open, in his very next outing, earlier this month. However, his form seems to have slumped since, with early defeats in Montreal and Cincinnati. The flamboyant Australian has the game to win in New York if he’s in the mood, but, as we all know, that is by no means a certainty.

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