Federer lags behind big rivals in U.S. Open betting
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[August 25, 2018]
By Simon Jennings
(Reuters) - Roger Federer heads to the
U.S. Open as third favorite behind longtime rivals Novak Djokovic
and Rafael Nadal after a season that has nose-dived since he won the
Australian Open at the start of the year.
This time last year, Federer was the pundits' pick to claim a third
Grand Slam title of 2017 in New York, after roaring back from a
season decimated by injury to win the Australian Open and Wimbledon.
His run at Flushing Meadows was ended by Juan Martin del Potro in
the quarter-finals, but Federer appeared to have put that defeat
behind him as he claimed his 20th career Grand Slam title in style
in Melbourne in January.
By July, however, that early optimism had faded following Federer's
defeat by Kevin Anderson in the Wimbledon quarter-finals.
The loss was even more shocking because of the way in which it came
about, with the world number two surrendering a two-set lead and at
a loss to explain what had gone wrong.
In truth, the first signs that all was not well with the Swiss
emerged before Wimbledon started.
Four months earlier, Federer reached the final at Indian Wells where
he was beaten by Del Potro, failing to convert a match point before
losing in three sets.
The pattern was repeated against Borna Coric in the Halle final, and
Federer headed to Wimbledon with those two defeats weighing on his
mind before again losing from a winning position at the All England
Club.
In Cincinnati last week, Federer floundered badly against Novak
Djokovic in the final, making a large number of uncharacteristic
errors before succumbing in straight sets.
Djokovic, fresh from his victory at Wimbledon and back to his best
after his injury troubles, is the bookmakers' favorite to win the
U.S. Open title ahead of defending champion Nadal, while Federer
himself is happy to play down his own chances.
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Switzerland's Roger Federer in action during his quarter final match
against South Africa's Kevin Anderson . REUTERS/Andrew Boyers/File
Photo
"I'm not the favorite, they are - Rafa and Novak, in my opinion,"
the 37-year-old said after losing in Cincinnati. "But I'm happy that
my level is there. I just need to figure out my game, get used to
different balls."
It has been a decade since Federer won the last of his five titles
at Flushing Meadows and former player Chris Evert says he will need
to create a miracle to claim the Open-era record by winning his
sixth in September.
"As far as Federer is concerned, I think for some reason the U.S.
Open hasn't been easy for him," the 18-times grand slam singles
champion, who will be part of ESPN's coverage of the U.S. Open in
New York, said on a conference call.
"He's created miracles before... he could do it again... (but) it's
going to be a grueling two weeks for him and this is sometimes when
age creeps in.
"I just think Djokovic and Nadal would have to be favored over
Federer at this point."
(Reporting by Simon Jennings, editing by Ed Osmond)
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