US OPEN FINAL BETTING TRENDS NADAL AND DJOKOVIC IN SET BETTING MARKETS

Nothing much has changed with respect to the 2010 US Open men’s singles final match between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. It’s still the same two charismatic players that are set to stare each other down, the same championship match and the same stakes on the line. The only difference is the day, and perhaps, the fact that Djokovic has had much-needed extra rest – although the latter is a debatable point. Didn’t Rafa face similar disadvantageous conditions at the 2009 Australian Open yet still come away with the title after playing over ten hours in two matches, spanning 48 hours.
These are fine athletes, prime specimens of the best players at the top of their games. They are used to challenging conditions and the demands of their sport. This is what they spend hours practicing and preparing for, after all. What they’ve proven they can handle by reaching the apex of their sport.
The layers and levels to this encounter remain the same, as do the facts and realities. As such, tennis bettors will note, markets have undergone barely any perceptible changes. Nadal is still considered the hot favourite and Djokovic the distinct underdog.
The only difference is popular perception, which now points to a five-set affair more so than before.
While popular opinion is panting after an epic, bookies haven’t quite responded in kind. Set betting markets on this match at William Hill still strongly favour a straight set affair (regardless of the player) at 13/10 over a four set or five set affair at 6/4 and 12/5, respectively.
Where set betting markets on Nadal are concerned, Nadal is priced at the short end at 13/8 for a 3-0 score line while a four set or five set win to Nadal is tipped at 5/2 and 5/1.
Same markets on Djokovic are all quite large. Djokovic is listed at 10/1 to win in straight sets. A 3-1 or 3-2 score line to Djokovic is listed at 7/1 and 6/1 respectively.
Those looking to back Nadal to win the match will find him trading at a favourable 4/9 to win both the first and second set. Nadal is a staggering winning record of 105-1 at the majors after winning the first set, so you can bet winning the opening set is going to be crucial.
At the same time, those looking to back Djokovic to the win have to concede that it’ll be important he win the first set. If he doesn’t, he has about a 0.95% chance of winning the match. With such statistics, he might as well go to the handshake if he drops the first set to Nadal because the odds will be seriously stacked against him.
Correct score betting offers added angles for profit. Nadal is tipped most favourably to win by 6-4 or 6-3 score in the first set, trading at 19/5 and 17/4, respectively.  Djokovic, at the same time, is best priced to win the set at 6-4 or 7-6, both tipped at 6/1.