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Djokovic an Odds-On Favorite to Win 2020 US Open With No Federer, Nadal

Bryan Thiel

by Bryan Thiel in Tennis

Updated Aug 25, 2020 · 5:26 PM PDT

Novak Djokovic hitting a volley
Novak Djokovic has been dominant this year, and aims to keep it going at the 2020 US Open. Photo by Doha Stadium Plus Qatar (Flickr).
  • The 2020 US Open begins Monday, August 31st
  • Novak Djokovic is a heavy favorite, followed by Daniil Medvedev and Dominic Thiem
  • See the odds for the main contenders plus best bets

As the sports world continues to re-establish itself, the 2020 US Open is set to kick-off in New York on Monday, August 31st.

It will be the first major since the ATP pushed pause on the season in March. Up to that point, it was a year that Novak Djokovic was absolutely dominating.

Now the top-ranked player in the world is vying for his fourth US Open title, and his biggest challengers are nowhere to be found.

2020 Men’s US Open Odds

Player World Ranking  Odds at FanDuel
Novak Djokovic 1 -125
Dominic Thiem 3 +500
Daniil Medvedev 5 +650
Stefanos Tsitsipas 6 +1000
Alexander Zverev 7 +1700
Andrey Rublev 14 +2900
Matteo Berrettini 8 +2900
Karen Khachanov 16 +3500
Denis Shapovalov 17 +3600
Felix Auger Aliassime 20 +3600
Milos Raonic 30 +3600
Andy Murray 134 +4500

Odds as of Aug. 25th.

Djokovic tops the board everywhere. His average men’s 2020 US Open odds are now in minus-money, just as they are at FanDuel.

A big reason for that is the fact that Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are sitting this one out. But while that’s helped Djoker stay atop the table, the biggest beneficiary may be Dominic Thiem.

Thiem opened the season at +2400. Since then, he’s risen dramatically to +625, neck-and-neck with Daniil Medvedev for second-favorite.

Who Can Conquer ‘Lonely’ 2020 US Open Ambiance?

One of the strangest aspects of the 2020 sports calendar has been watching athletes deal with the lack of fans.

Some have fun with their cavernous arenas. Others struggle with the lack of fans and access to family. Count Thiem among those who find the whole thing weird. “In an empty stadium, maybe your coach and your team is there, these are the only people, that makes it, I guess, very very lonely, very very tough, and that’s going to be a very interesting thing to experience,” the Austrian stated at a recent press conference.

Thiem admitted that the playing field is leveled for everyone. It’s something that some players will at least be accustomed to in New York thanks to the Western and Southern Open.

“Weird Results” Muddy Field in New York

Exhibition matches are one thing, but seeing who responds when it’s all on the line in a grand slam is another.

Even in the Western and Southern Open, Thiem and fellow top-ten member Alexander Zverev were bounced quickly. Zverev called the results “weird” and pointed to the six-month layoff as a big factor in his struggles against Andy Murray.

Other big names to fall in the first round include Andrey Rublev, Diego Schwartzman, and Cristian Garin. A handful of others fell in round two.

Djokovic, however, is showing very little rust. After a first-round bye, he won his first match 7-6(2), 6-4 against Ricardas Berankis and then continued to dominate, breezing past Tennys Sandgren (6-2, 6-4).

Medvedev has been similarly dominant as he prepares to square off with Roberto Bautista Agut, as has Stefanos Tsitsipas.

2020 US Open Draw Will Answer Plenty of Questions

However things fall when the US Open draw is held, Djokovic will undoubtedly still stand as the favorite. But the board could dramatically change around him.

Thiem is tough to get behind following a quick exit at the Western and Southern Open. After a lengthy layoff, his whimper of a performance against 32nd-ranked Filip Krajinovic (6-2, 6-1) is cause for concern.

Medvedev, however, presents similar value with better recent results. Tsitsipas is another name whose strong play is encouraging. And if you want to go really deep? Andy Murray, the man who stunned Zverev, can be had at +4500. He has the pedigree, but it could be a risk considering his endurance level might not be up to five-set standards yet.

Ultimately, Djokovic has earned his favorite status, and I like Medvedev and Tsitsipas at long odds if you don’t want to ride with Nole.

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