US Open Tennis - Andy Murray to break his Grand Slam duck?
The US Open looks set to go ahead as scheduled on Monday with a local start time of 11.00 (1600 BST). The killer hurricane Irene paid a visit to Flushing Meadow and although she left her mark, the damage was not anywhere near as severe as had been forecast. Although some work is needed to the tennis center, officials are optimistic that this can be completed on time.
Onto the players and Novak Djokovic is perhaps short enough at odds of no greater than 6/4 (2.5), given the shoulder injury that led to his recent retirement from his final against Andy Murray. I would prefer to look elsewhere and Rafael Nadal is the immediate next port of call.
Nadal went out in the second round in Montreal and then went out to Mardy Fish in the quarter-finals in Cincinnati, having bizarrely burnt his fingers in a Japanese restaurant. Nadal had this to say to the press;
“The emotions probably are a little bit different, because when you come back after the victory of last year the emotions are higher. Of course, it was the last grand slam for me to complete all four. It was a very, very nice moment of my career, one of the biggest moments of my career. That makes coming back a little more special. But if we talk about the goal, it is the same; to play well, to try to get to the final rounds. That's the same. I don't feel extra pressure. I am happy about how I did. I didn't play very well during the summer, but I am practising much better here.”
Swiss maestro Roger Federer has also struggled recently in both Montreal and Cincinatti so will need a return to his best if he is to win his first Grand Slam as a 30-year old.
"I feel my game allows me to still play for many more years because I have a relaxed playing style. I have almost played 1,000 matches on tour and that leaves its toll, but I'm very professional when it comes to massages, stretching, diet, sleep, all of that stuff. I have looked at the long term for a long time. I haven't been chasing (titles) around since I turned world number one seven years ago. That's why I'm confident I can still play for many more years to come at the highest of levels. (Turning 30) hasn't changed anything. I'm still as professional. I'm still as hungry. Everything's still completely normal. It's just a number that's changed. I'm ready to go. I feel good. I have had plenty of practice. There are no niggling injuries and everything is under control. It's always a great event to be a part of. I've had success here, obviously. It's nice to be back."
As a ‘British’ writer penning content for a website that can claim the same, I should be focusing on Andy Murray. One of these days, my quick dismissive will make me look foolish but once again, I can not get enthused by the Scotsman’s chances of winning a Grand Slam, certainly not at odds of just 5/1.
It isn’t likely that a player outside of the top 4 will win but those looking for a sporting outside bet could do worse than Mardy Fish. The American has been in the form of his life on clay recently and although he still has a wide gulf to bridge, on his day he is capable of beating the better players. With confidence high and no injury worries, he could go a fair way at least. As for tipping the winner, I would say that a fully-fit Djokovic would take a deal of stopping but there is a doubt. Nadal has been beaten too many times this year for comfort and veteran Federer has not been playing to his best. Umm, not easy and with doubts about the top 3, I have convinced myself to side with no other than Andy Murray. There we go, how’s that for a muddled second-guessing about-turn!