Events / Editor / 10 August 2007 /

Having secured his fifth consecutive Wimbledon title Roger Federer is a hot favourite in the betting to make it four in a row at the US Open at Flushing Meadows.

The 25-year-old justified his short odds to beat Andy Roddick in last year's final but the resurgent American could prove one of the biggest stumbling blocks to those betting on Federer here, after his recent win at the Legg Mason Tennis Classic.

The Swiss ace has landed many bets for punters with another amazing year, winning two ATP titles as well as the Australian Open and Wimbledon and dominated the betting on each occasion. His odds suggest he will be the player to beat in New York when the tournament gets underway on August 27.

Rafael Nadal has proved to be a popular bet and is Federer's nemesis on clay, beating the world number one in the 2006 and 2007 French Opens, but those having a bet on the Spaniard will note he has just one victory over Federer on hard courts, when he landed the odds back in 2006 in Dubai.

But he pushed the 11-time Grand Slam winner all the way on the grass courts at SW19 this year and will be confident of being able to compete with Federer away from his favoured clay surface.

Those interested in set betting will note Roddick took a set off Federer in last year's US Open final but has never beaten him in a final, losing in both the 2004 and 2005 Wimbledon finals and is therefore longer odds than the champion.

Those betting on Federer in match ups have collected a number of times on hard courts, as he has beaten 'A-Rod' in Toronto and Bangkok in 2004, Cincinnati in 2005, before his victory in the Big Apple 12 months ago.

Roddick will be attractive odds in the betting but his only 'Slam success to did come at the US Open back in 2003, when he beat Juan Carlos Ferrero in straight sets and those with bets on him to make the final will hope his huge serve carries him through.

An important betting statistic reveals 81% of first serves won on the tour this year is second only to Ivo Karlovic, while the giant Croatian is the only man to better Roddick's 91% of service games won.

Andy Murray will be a popular bet among the UK betting public and he has made great strides since turning professional in 2005 but his recent injury woes may lengthen his odds in north Queens, while fellow 20-year-old Novak Djokovic is also a player likely to be popular in the US Open betting.

Bets were paid when the Croat won an ATP Masters singles title by beating Guillermo Cañas in straight sets in Miami.

In the women's betting Maria Sharapova bids to defend her title, fresh from victory over Patty Schnyder in the San Diego Classic.

The Russian has the game to go all the way again this year but has been suffering with a shoulder injury in recent months and her odds should reflect these problems.

Those with bets on Sharapova will note that the majority of her 16 tournament wins have come on hard courts but the player she beat to take the title in 2006, Justine Henin, and the Williams sisters will surely be up there in the betting.

Since missing the Australian Open due to the collapse of her marriage, Henin has been the player to bet on, winning five times on tour, including her fourth French Open title.

She justified her odds in the 2003 US Open, beating compatriot Kim Clijsters, but will have to contend with the Williams siblings, who have both tasted success at the tournament.

Venus, who claimed her fourth Wimbledon title this year, has two US Open titles but she has not landed bets in the event since 2001, while Serena's two victories came in 1999 and 2002.

Both remain dangerous players in the betting who can overwhelm opponents with their power and pace and should not be discounted when looking for an outright bet.

Amélie Mauresmo has suffered a truncated year due to a bout of appendicitis and she has just one tournament victory this year in Antwerp and will be attractive odds.

However anyone wanting a bet on the 2002 and 2006 US Open semi-finalist should not be put off as she claims to be fully fit and raring to go and could be an interesting outsider in the betting.

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