2016 US Open men’s singles final tips: Stan’s the man to defeat Djokovic

In the case of the latter, it just so happened to be against Djokovic, despite losing the opening set.

On top of that, the Serb came into this event in perhaps the worst run of form for a couple of years, while has also not really been tested this tournament with three of his opponents pulling out.

So, why not take hugely enticing odds of 12/5 for world number three Wawrinka to add the US Open men’s singles title to his trophy cabinet, and join Andy Murray in being a three-time Grand Slam champion?

Swiss to win second set

Following on from the above bet, Wawrinka is a tempting price of 13/8 to claim the second set too, as remarkably the Swiss has achieved that feat in four of the last six meetings with Djokovic.

That is including last time out in the Paris Masters semis, as well as in their last three Grand Slam clashes (2015 French Open final, 2015 Australian Open semis and 2014 Australian Open quarters).

To make this bet all the more likely, he also won the second set in both of his Grand Slam final triumphs.

Match to go distance

If you want to play it safe, as you’re unsure which way the Sunday showdown will go, then odds of 5/2 may tempt you into backing this match to go the distance.

Incredibly, this duo have played out five previous five-setters – their first being a decade ago in a Davis Cup clash.

The other four came in Grand Slams since 2013, including once at the US Open that same year, having already gone the distance in the Australian Open several months before.

Wawrinka has already been taken to five sets this tournament, against Britain’s own Dan Evans, while Djokovic has also dropped sets against lesser opposition Jerzy Janowicz and Gael Monfils.

Related

For more top tennis tips and features, check out our extensive archive.