The last day of the US Open is headlined by the men's Final and this year it will be going up against the powerhouse of Week 1 in the NFL season.
At least the tournament organisers have a decent enough Final on their hands but the casual fans may have been more tempted to tune in if Rafael Nadal had made it past Juan Martin Del Potro to face Novak Djokovic instead.
Del Potro is a popular figure at Flushing Meadows and is only playing in his second Grand Slam Final which is remarkable to think, even when counting up the huge injury problems he has had in his career. On the other side of the court Djokovic doesn't seem to have the same connection with the crowd in New York and that was evident with the fans seemingly much more behind Kei Nishikori in their Semi Final match on Friday.
Novak Djokovic - 3.5 games v Juan Martin Del Potro: It is strange to think it has almost been ten years since Juan Martin Del Potro won the US Open and looked set to be someone who would challenge the likes of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray for the biggest prizes in the sport. The 'Tower of Tandil' beat both Nadal and Federer on his way to the Grand Slam success, but a wrist injury has bothered very soon after that success in New York and the career has been something of a stop-start one.
Del Potro is now back in a major Final for the first time since 2009 which is still a surprise considering how well he has played over the last couple of years. The wrist will never be 100% like it once was, but Del Potro looks stronger on both wings these days and he has beaten the big names throughout his career although not always been able to put it together over the best of five set format.
Winning the US Open would be a huge achievement for Del Potro but standing in his way is Wimbledon Champion Novak Djokovic who is rounding back into the kind of form that saw him dominate men's tennis a few years ago. Without a doubt there is still some room for improvement for Djokovic, but winning two of the four Grand Slams in 2018 will make him believe and I think he may be able to kick on and finish the year as the World Number 1 as well as being the favourite going into the Slams in 2019 (at least the three played off the clay courts).
Both players have been in very good form in the US Open, but Novak Djokovic is backing up a title win in Cincinnati which is going to give him plenty of confidence to take into the Final.
You have to respect Del Potro simply because of the power he brings to the court and the ability he has to hit through any opponent. Even the slower surface in New York in 2018 has not bothered him and a big serving display will put Djokovic under some pressure considering he has not faced someone with this power so far in the draw.
It has been a kind path set out for Djokovic, but he has been very comfortable in the whole tournament and that is after dealing with the heat which has been his downfall in years gone by. This time Djokovic should be playing in conditions which are very favourable to him and I do think he will prove too good for a player he has dominated the head to head against.
They haven't met for almost eighteen months so the head to head is not completely relevant in this case. However I do think Djokovic is in superb form at the moment and he should have enough to wear down Del Potro although I am anticipating a real battle between these players.
Djokovic needs to keep serving as well as he has in the tournament so far as he won't want to give Del Potro too many reasons to build momentum behind him. doing that should give Djokovic the chance to try and attack the Del Potro serve and I do like the former World Number 1 to get closer to reclaiming his place at the top of men's tennis with a second Grand Slam to put in the 2018 trophy cabinet.
I can't take anything away from how well Del Potro has been playing here and I would love to see him win a second Grand Slam title. The big man is very capable on his day and I would not be surprised if he was able to take a set in this one but I can't see him getting much more from Djokovic who should have enough to just edge past him in four competitive sets and I think that will be enough for him to cover the number too.
MY PICKS: Novak Djokovic - 3.5 Games @ 1.80 Bet Victor (2 Units)
US Open Update: 26-21, + 7.76 Units (84 Units Staked, + 9.24% Yield)
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