The favourites

Backing anyone other than Novak Djokovic or Rafael Nadal to win the US Open is likely to be a waste of time.

Djokovic has only played once since winning Wimbledon, tuning himself up nicely with a run to the semi-finals at the Cincinnati Masters last week.

Other than when he was absent in 2017, the Serb has reached the semi-finals in all of his last 11 appearances at Flushing Meadows, reaching the final in seven of the last eight.

But backing Nadal over the defending champion at longer odds may be the smart move.

The Spaniard has reached the semis or better in six successive slams, and in both of his last two US Opens.

He cruised to victory in the Rogers Cup earlier this month, and is poised to continue his imperious form in the next fortnight.

Best of the rest

After lifting the title in Cincinnati, Daniil Medvedev is the obvious outsider to back.

The Russian is in fantastic form, reaching three consecutive finals since Wimbledon, and beating Djokovic last week.

He has never progressed beyond the fourth round of a slam, but he has never approached a slam in such good form, either.

David Goffin progressing to the final in Cincinnati was no fluke.

The 28-year-old made the quarter-finals of Wimbledon before running into Djokovic, having previously beaten Alex Zverev on his way to the final in Halle in June.

He is a decent bet to at least get further than the fourth round, his best finish in this competition.

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