US Open betting tips and predictions for men’s outright: Shelton could end American men’s drought

The fourth and final Grand Slam of the year gets underway on Sunday, with the men’s US Open looking more open than it has in some time.

Jannik Sinner’s injury absence has removed one half of tennis’ dominant duopoly, while defending champion Carlos Alcaraz returns from a four-month lay-off following a wrist problem.

That leaves French Open champion and top seed Alexander Zverev with a huge opportunity, while American hope Ben Shelton and the in-form Arthur Fils are among those ready to capitalise in New York.

US Open Tennis Tips

• Alexander Zverev to win @ 3/1
• Ben Shelton to Win & E/W (1/2 2 Places) @10/1
• Arthur Fils to Win & E/W (1/2 2 Places) @12/1

Zverev has chance to double Grand Slam haul

Zverev arrives in New York as one of the men to beat after finally ending his long wait for a Grand Slam title at the French Open.

That breakthrough could prove hugely significant. Zverev had lost three major finals before triumphing at Roland Garros, but he has since played with greater freedom and followed that success by reaching his first Wimbledon final.

His US Open record is another major positive, with the German having reached the final in 2020 and repeatedly shown that his powerful game is suited to hard courts in New York.

Preparations have not been perfect, with early exits in Montreal and Cincinnati leaving him short of match wins heading into the tournament.

Still, those events were never likely to define his season and the absence of Sinner, combined with Alcaraz’s long injury lay-off, has created a golden opportunity for Zverev to add a second major.

The top seed looks the standout player in the most favourable section of the draw and should be hard to stop if he rediscovers the level that carried him through the first half of the season.

Shelton can end the American drought

The pressure will be on Shelton to deliver in front of his home crowd, but the big-serving left-hander has developed into far more than a one-dimensional power player.

Shelton defended his Canadian Open title this month without dropping a set, underlining just how dangerous he can be on North American hard courts when his serve is firing.

The 23-year-old has also improved his return game and is breaking opponents with greater regularity, giving him a much more complete profile than the player who first burst onto the scene.

His first-round defeat in Cincinnati was disappointing, although the extra rest may not be a bad thing after the physical demands of his title run in Montreal.

Shelton reached the US Open semi-finals in 2023 and has produced career-best Slam performances at the first three majors of 2026.

The last American man to win a Grand Slam was Andy Roddick at the 2003 US Open and Shelton has the weapons and confidence to give the home fans genuine hope that the wait can finally end.

Fils is the form player in the field

Arthur Fils arrives in New York as one of the hottest players on tour after lifting the biggest title of his career at the Cincinnati Open.

The 22-year-old’s season has been interrupted by injury, forcing him to miss both the Australian Open and French Open, but he has been excellent whenever fit.

He has won 32 of his 42 matches this season, with his recent hard-court form particularly impressive as he claimed the title in Cincinnati and reached the quarter-finals in Montreal.

Fils has collected four victories over top-10 opponents in 2026 and his huge serve and powerful forehand make him a serious threat on the fast courts at Flushing Meadows.

His major record is the obvious concern, with a second-round appearance his best previous result at the US Open, but the Frenchman looks ready to make a breakthrough on the biggest stage.

Fils is worth supporting in the each-way market after his Cincinnati success, particularly with the draw opening up following Sinner’s withdrawal and questions over Alcaraz’s fitness.

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