Alcaraz and Djokovic continue to make their way through the draw but from a commercial perspective, the tournament took a big hit with American Ben Shelton breaking down in tears when he retired from his match against Mannarino with a shoulder injury. It creates a window of opportunity for the other player but who is ready to step up???
We have already pencilled in a Sinner/Alcaraz final but the Italian found himself in a spot of bother against Shapovalov before steadying the ship. Alcaraz will want to avoid putting himself in the same position but there is no threat of that happening here. He has been on fire!!! Not only is he yet to drop a set but he has lost a total of only 10 games across the last 6 sets played. His game is dialled in and he also has the benefit of a 3-0 record against Rinderknech. The Frenchman benefited from a tired Benjamin Bonzi in his last match but will be getting no leg-ups here.
Bet: Alcaraz -8.5 ($1.95)
Leading into this tournament, Struff had lost in the opening round here on five previous occasions in his career. Now 35 years of age, he is into the 4th Round here for the first time but the reward, if you want to call it that, is a battle against the greatest winner ever – Novak Djokovic. The Serb has a 7-0 lifetime record in this series with Struff winning only 1 of the 18 sets they have contested. We should not let that completely deter us as Djokovic has dropped a set in each of his last two matches and Struff is a more dominant server than his previous opponents in New York. Back-to-back wins over Rune and Tiafoe should not be disrespected. The German will be winning at least one set.
Bet: Struff To Win a Set – YES ($1.80)
Fritz was supposed to breeze passed Kym in the 3rd Round but dropped a set for the second consecutive match. He now faces his toughest opponents yet as Machac has caused him troubles in the past. They went 5 sets a the French Open a few years back and earlier this year at the United Cup, Machac won the first set before retiring hurt at 6-5 in the second set. The American has not been as effective in return games as he was 12 months ago with a total of 12 breaks in 11 sets played so far. In comparison, Machac has 17 breaks across three straight sets wins. Both players will win a set and there will be at least one breaker. The Overs in this match is the best bet of the day!
Bet: Over 39.5 games ($1.80)
Veteran Frenchman Adrian Mannarino is into the 4th Round of the US Open for the first time in his career after Ben Shelton was forced to retire with a shoulder injury. He is yet to make the final eight of a major in his previous 60 attempts but this is arguably his best chance yet as Lehecka has done so only once in his young career. Lehecka has come through a very favourable draw but it is his struggles against left-handed players this season which attracts interest. Lost to Draper in Doha, Norrie in Indian Wells, and Shelton in both Stuttgart and Cincinnati. Mannarino is effective using the angles on serve in the ad court and in general play so I have him winning at least one set. Overs.
Bet: Over 38.5 games ($1.91)