Sleeper picks for US Open

With the absence of Rafael Nadal at the US Open the field looks fairly open, and while Djokovic, Federer and Murray are expected to make the semis, there is room for one of the following players to at least compete on men’s semi final day. Del Potro’s win in 2009 proves that long shots do come home in tennis.

David Goffin 500/1 with Paddy Power

Goffin has never qualified for the US Open but signs this summer indicate that this os a player on the immediate ascent. He shot to fame after taking a set from Roger Federer at the French Open and didn’t flop at Wimbledon, making his way to a third round exit. Rather than owning posters of the top players he is now dicing it with them.

Milos Raonic 66/1 with Sportingbet

The big Canadian missed the hard court swing last year due to injury and has only played one match in the main draw in New York. He’s at his most effective on indoor hard and has been disappointing so far outdoors, but he’s still quite inexperienced at 21-years-old and I’d be wanting a bigger price.

Tomas Berdych 80/1 with Ladbrokes

Perhaps the most frustrating player to follow on the men’s tour, Berdych has the ability, but mentally he doesn’t have the mindset of a grand slam champion. A former finalist at Wimbledon, the Czech is very capable of opening the pathway for others with a big win, but he’s not consistent enough to claim the title and this is not his best slam, having never bettered the last 16.

Juan Martin Del Potro 12/1 with Sportingbet

The nagging suspicion that his best days are behind him is what comes to mind with Delpo, but he’s still only 23-years-old, so it’s a little too soon to write him off. Plagued by injuries since that 2009 triumph, his body seems intent on letting him down and he hasn’t been able to reproduce the brutal hitting that we saw here three years ago since. The Argentine has won just one hard court title since his US Open and has a 10-31 record against top-10 opponents since.

John Isner 80/1 with Sportingbet

The big serving machine is one of America’s only hopes and it’s a slim one. Had a really good spring, beating both Federer and Djokovic and made the finals of Indian Wells, but he’s surely destined to be little more than a spoiler at slams, as it takes him too long to win his matches, which leaves no energy for the latter rounds. Reached just one major quarter final so far in his career.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 50/1 with Paddy Power

Probably the most likely player to upset the top four seeds and always a popular bet for big price backers, as he’s made a slam final in the past and has wins over all of the top players. Beaten comfortably by Federer in last year’s quarter finals and another who you feel isn’t consistent enough in majors and needs others to get rid of at least one or two of the top four to stand a chance.

Read our guide on the favourites for the US Open: US Open tennis