US Open Tennis Panel: Djokovic as favorite, Medvedev not so far
The last Grand Slam tournament of 2019 is coming up. We checked out some experts again. First of all to the favorites.
by tennisnet.com
last edit: Aug 23, 2019, 12:32 pm
Question 1: Roger Federer only played two matches after Wimbledon, Novak Djokovic in Cincinnati had problems with his elbows. So why isn't Rafael Nadal going to the tournament as a big favorite - or is it?
Marcel Meinert (Sky): Nadal is right behind Djokovic on the favorites list for me, of course always dependent on his health. Here he seemed to be a little bit ahead of the "Djoker" at the moment. The dress rehearsal in Montreal went almost perfectly, the Spaniard seems to have put his forces in a good way and will demand Djokovic. Thanks to his strong overall record in 2019 and always being on the spot when it matters - namely in the Grand Slams - the victory is only over the Serbs.
Florian Goosmann (tennisnet): I still don't trust the peace of Nadal's physical condition on hard court to see him as a top favorite - even though he has survived the tournaments recently. The way to the title probably only leads via Djokovic, even if he has got a tricky draw. A round of 16 against Wawrinka and a quarter-final against Medvedev, over three winning sets - I'd like to see that!
Markus Theil (Eurosport): For me, Djokovic remains the biggest favorite on this stage, for statistical reasons alone: Four of the last five GS tournaments won, seven of the last nine years in the US Open final. In addition, he can only win the US Open if he won Wimbledon in the same year (2011, 15, 18).
Sebastian Kayser (BILD): Because you have to wait and see how serious Novak's injury really is. If it doesn't matter, he is the favorite. The fact that I don't believe in Federer's victory has more to do with Novak's strength than with the few games he has. Although a few more matches would have been good for him, there is no question.
"The few matches shouldn't be a stumbling block for Federer"
Jörg Allmeroth (tennisnet): There is no big favorite, but the circle of the usual suspects: Djokovic, Federer, Nadal.
Alexander Tagger (Kleine Zeitung, Austria): If Novak Djokovic's elbows do not become a lengthy problem, he is definitely THE favorite for the title. Roger Federer's early retirement in Cincinnati has shown that he is no longer invulnerable - but the few matches should not be a stumbling block. With Rafael Nadal, the question always arises as to what extent his body plays along. Two weeks of hard court tennis are extremely stressful for the joints and last year's semi-final task after the demanding marathon match against Dominic Thiem has shown how vulnerable the Spaniard is.
# BETATHOMEUSWIN #
Nikolaus Fink (tennisnet): Because I rate Djokovic on hard court more than the Spaniard. But: Nadal will be number one challenger of the Serb in New York. A final between the two would not surprise me at all.
Tom Häberlein (SID): With Nadal you have to expect that his body is on strike. But after his tournament win in Montreal, he wisely didn't use Cincinnati. Not having him on the bill at the US Open would be grossly negligent.
Paul Häuser (Sky): Novak Djokovic remains "the man to beat" as Wimbledon champ and defending title. 4 triumphs in the last five Grand Slams speak for themselves. The "Djoker" is so difficult to break through three winning sets. Nadal is the biggest challenger for Djokovic. Then comes Daniil Medvedev and then Roger Federer.
Oliver Faßnacht (Eurosport): Exactly ... "or at least". Bet on Nadal this time. Think all the prerequisites are right.
Jens Huiber (sportradio360): In the last Grand Slam final on hard court, Nadal lost to Djokovic. So a bill has been open since Australia. And once again, until the semi-finals, where Dominic Thiem could wait, no one will be found who believes they can really beat Nadal.
Robert M. Frank (tennisnet): On the one hand, Novak Djokovic is the undisputed top favorite on paper. Only one defeat in 20 Grandslam matches this year in the Roland Garros semi-final clearly underlines this. But on the other hand, Rafael Nadal's strong form can give the Spaniard justified hopes of cracking the "Djoker" this time. For me, a suitable example provides an interesting comparison. While Djokovic struggled (and lost!) Against the high-flyer Daniil Medvedev in the semi-finals in Cincinnati, Nadal clearly dominated the current top 5 player from Russia at the final in Montreal.
Question 2: Daniil Medvedev was the most successful player in the North American summer. Why can't the Russian still compete for the title at the US Open?
Jörg Allmeroth (tennisnet): Because tournaments have lost relevance in summer. They are used to import, warm up, acclimatize. The US Open should be viewed separately. The big names rule there.
Paul Häuser (Sky): The Big Three are just too dominant, that's the problem. The hurdle Grand Slam seems to be a number too big for the young generation. Physically, I don't yet trust Medvedev to make the big hit in the duel against Nadal or Djokovic. The same applies to other young guns like Stefanos Tsitsipas or Karen Khachanov.
Oliver Faßnacht (Eurosport): In 16 matches, he only had to go over three sets once - against Djokovic (elbow problems) in Cincinnati. That doesn't really serve as a simulation. "Best of Five" will reach its limits in the second week at the latest. In addition, I doubt the "Grand Slam significance" from the last three weeks of the tournament, based on the majority of his opponents, and / or their form.
Alexander Tagger (Kleine Zeitung): Of course, a lot will depend on the draw, but he will have to wait for the first Grand Slam title. Experience plays a crucial role, especially in a Grand Slam tournament that spans two weeks. How do I properly divide my strength, how can I survive in front of such a large stage? For Medvedev, this terrain is still unknown. In addition, he will probably have to beat two of the big three for the title - but at this age it is still extremely difficult to maintain the top level over several games. Both physically and above all mentally.
Nikolaus Fink (tennisnet): Because Djokovic, Nadal and Federer can go the extra mile with Best of Five. In addition, Medvedev has given a lot of strength in the past few weeks that he might lack in the final phase of the US Open.
Tom Häberlein (SID): A Grand Slam still has three winning sets. By the way, in 2017 Alexander Zverev was the most successful player of the North American summer. In Flushing Meadows he is out in the second round.
"I trust Boris Becker"
Marcel Meinert (Sky): Probably only because Grand Slam titles were almost taboo for 23-year-olds recently ... Otherwise? He brings everything with him! In terms of play, physically and mentally, the performances in the past few weeks have been in a class of their own.
Florian Goosmann (tennisnet): Actually, he just can't do that if he is overplayed. But I trust Boris Becker. He thinks that a week is enough to relax - and Medvedev believes in great US Open. A possible quarter-final against Djokovic could be a highlight! Only he would have to avoid Nadal in the final.
Markus Theil (Eurosport): I had predicted his breakthrough in Wimbledon here in this panel, then he failed in five sets against Goffin. in New York he will reach a GS quarter-finals for the first time. That would be a milestone for him. However, he is not a favorite for me, as well as the experience and nerve-racking in Grand Slam format. Although: 66 hard court victories since 2018 are huge.
Sebastian Kayser (BILD): Because he left too much strength, is too euphoric after his first Masters win and a Grand Slam is yet another category, from every angle. Let him reach the quarter-finals, that would be great, the semi-finals are outstanding for him.
Jens Huiber (sportradio360): The two wins against Djokovic in Monte Carlo and Cincinnati also came about because Nole made misfires, which he usually does not have in a Grand Slam tournament. The quarter-finals will be over for Medvedev at the latest.
Robert M. Frank (tennisnet): I have a lot of confidence in Daniil Medvedev. His constant, powerful and variable style of play is impressive. However, I think that for the 23-year-old whiz kid of the past few weeks and months, Novak Djokovic will end in the quarter-finals at the latest.