Zverev plunges as Murray pulls out of US Open 2017

ANDY Murray will finish the year without reaching a major final.

The Scottish star has withdrawn from the 2017 US Open, citing a hip injury that has troubled him for much of the season.

With Novak Djokovic, Kei Nishikori, Milos Raonic and defending champion Stan Wawrinka also out, only six of the world’s top 11 male players will suit up at Flushing Meadows.

Having withdrawal symptoms????
……@andy_murray @stanwawrinka @keinishikori @DjokerNole spotted in a bar in NYC by @NialSmith ❤️#USOpen pic.twitter.com/D11Tathp8P

— judy murray (@JudyMurray) August 27, 2017

That leaves as Roger Federer (+188) and Rafael Nadal (+300) as the undisputed favourites in the outright betting at Sportsbet.com.au.

There is also plenty of love for the in-form Alexander Zverev, who nows holds the third line alone at +450.

It is a big jump from there to outside hopes Grigor Dimitrov (+1400), Marin Cilic (+1600) and Nick Kyrgios (+1800).

The women’s draw is shaping up much as expected.

Wimbledon champion Garbine Muguruza has firmed into +450 over the past fortnight as she aims at a third grand slam title.

Back to work… first practice at the @usopen

Vuelta a trabajo…primer entreno en el @usopen pic.twitter.com/B9ezxugHry

— Garbiñe Muguruza (@GarbiMuguruza) August 24, 2017

The Spaniard’s closest rival in the outright market is Karolina Pliskova (+650), who reached the US Open final last year.

Elina Svitolina (+1000), Simona Halep, Johanna Konta (both +1200) and local hope Madison Keys (+1400) are also rated strong chances.

Defending champ Angelique Kerber is pegged at +2200, alongside wildcard entrant Maria Sharapova.

Will those big names survive the opening round of 2017 US Open singles fixtures?

Kristina Mladenovic (14) vs. Monica Niculescu

Mladenovic – -227.27
Niculescu – +165

Mladenovic has endured a really ordinary run since Wimbledon, winning only one match in four tournament starts. Now the 14th seed must flip the script against a player she has never beaten before. Niculescu has two wins to nil over her French opponent, both on hard courts, so there is certainly some value in backing her to complete the hat-trick.

Angelique Kerber (6) vs. Naomi Osaka

Kerber – -333.33
Osaka – +231

Nothing has gone quite to plan for Kerber since she won the 2016 US Open and ascended to number one in the world rankings. The fourth round is as far as the German has progressed in three grand slam starts this year, achieved at both the Australian Open and Wimbledon. Nevertheless, she should have enough in the locker to deal with an opponent who retired hurt on her last outing.

Thomaz Bellucci vs. Dustin Brown

Bellucci – -128.21
Brown – -104.17

There is not a lot to separate these two on paper. They have faced each other four times, each winning twice. The difference is that both of Bellucci’s wins came as a result of the other man retiring, including their only meeting on hard court. It was Brown who triumphed when these two clashed a few weeks ago at Bastad, and we hope the great entertainer can replicate that effort.

Marcos Baghdatis vs. Taylor Fritz

Baghdatis – +110
Fritz – -147.06

Both of these men were ousted by Roberto Bautista Agut at the Winston-Salem tournament – Baghdatis in the round of 16, Fritz in the quarter finals. The latter has played a lot more tennis since Wimbledon, starting in no fewer than seven events. Even so, we reckon Fritz’s veteran opponent from Cyprus has enough in the tank to motor through to the second round.

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