It may still be a few months away from now, but there’s no harm in preparing ourselves for this year’s highly-anticipated edition of the U.S. Open. Both the men’s and women’s singles are looking relatively competitive as usual, and the pair of Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams is once again the hands-down favorites. Will the two continue living up to the expectations? Or will somebody else rise to the challenge?
Read on below for a brief look at the top three contenders, including their odds, for the men’s and women’s singles competition. And while you’re at it, you might as well check out our breakdown of the early favorites for the Wimbledon Championships.
2016 Early U.S. Open Odds Update — May 2, 2016
Men’s Singles
Favorites — Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and Roger Federer
Novak Djokovic is the man to beat here, needless to say. He’s not the defending champion and the No. 1 tennis world today for no reason. The Serbian has won a total of 63 ATP singles titles, including eleven Grand Slam championships, and has also made it to 19 major finals which is tied for third in the Open era with Ivan Lendl.
More importantly, everyone knows that this guy’s on a mission to make history by winning all four majors this year. Djokovic’s already bagged home the Australian Open title, where he convincingly defeated Andy Murray in the finals.
Speaking of Murray, he will continue to be one of the biggest obstacles to Djokovic’s reign of supremacy. The Scotsman is a two-time Grand Slam winner, the reigning Olympic champion and Davis Cup champion. Murray, however, has only won nine out of the 32 times that he’s collided with Djokovic. But still, there’s a pretty good chance for Murray to surprise us.
Roger Federer, meanwhile, can’t be left unmentioned. The 17-time Grand Slam champ may be past his prime at the age of 34, but he seems to have a few more years left in him. The former World No. 1 is off to a relatively hot start this season, winning 10 of his first 13 matches. That stretch includes an appearance in the semifinals of the Australian Open, where Federer unfortunately lost to Djokovic in another neck-and-neck matchup.
Women’s Singles
Favorites — Serena Williams, Victoria Azarenka and Simona Halep
Serena Williams failed to seize the glory in last year’s U.S. Open, but even so, she still remains to be the run-away favorite to reclaim the elusive title. Prior to 2015, the American has brought home the hardware in four (2008, 2012, 2013 and 2014) of the past seven years at Flushing Meadows. Williams also owns a total of 21 Grand Slam singles titles, which is third overall on the all-time list behind the pair of Margaret Court (24) and Steffi Graf (22).
No matter how impressive Williams has been throughout her career, she can still be beaten. That’s exactly what Victoria Azarenka could do if ever she does end up facing Williams at some point of the tournament. The 26-year-old Belarusian is off to a staggering start this year with currently a 23-1 win-loss record. And more importantly, one of those wins includes a victory over Williams in the finals of the recently-concluded Indian Wells Masters. Azarenka also made two-consecutive appearances in the finals (2012 and 2013) at Flushing Meadows.
Simona Halep, on the other hand, should pose as an intriguing threat to both Williams and Azarenka. Yes, Halep’s had a miserable start to 2016, having won just nine of her first 16 matches thus far. But you can never sleep on a talented and experienced player like Halep, who made it all the way to the semifinals in the 2015 US Open. A better outcome could be in store for her this time around especially once she relocates her confidence and form back.
