Djokovic easy U.S. Open pick

Tougher to select women’s favorite from limited field

The dates didn’t change for this year’s U.S. Open, but the tennis world sure has.

Several top players have decided to skip the Grand Slam event in New York, citing concerns about the coronavirus pandemic, injuries or both. That list includes both defending champions, Rafael Nadal and Bianca Andreescu; the man with the most major victories of all time, Roger Federer; and the top two women in the rankings, Ashleigh Barty and Simona Halep.

However, two of the biggest names in the sport remain in the field, and bettors face a familiar question when the tournament begins Monday. Do they want to bet on Novak wi and Serena Williams, or bet against them?

Based on their recent form, it’s a lot easier to get behind Djokovic. He is the -125 favorite at the Westgate to win the men’s title, while Williams is the 5-1 second choice on the women’s side behind Naomi Osaka at +450. But Osaka withdrew from the Western and Southern Open final Saturday, citing a hamstring injury.

Westgate sportsbook executive manager Eric Osterman said he expected bettors to load up on Djokovic with Federer and Nadal not in the field.

“Without the other two of the Big Three, we just try to make sure that we don’t build up a lot of liability on Djokovic,” he said.

Starting with Federer’s first major at Wimbledon in 2003, Federer (20), Nadal (19) and Djokovic (17) have collected 56 of the 67 Grand Slams. Besides Djokovic, the only players in the field who have won majors are

Women

Up to 20-1 Naomi Osaka Serena Williams Karolina Pliskova Sofia Kenin Johanna Konta Petra Kvitova Garbine Muguruza Madison Keys Aryna Sabalenka

former U.S. Open champions Andy Murray (40-1) and Marin Cilic (100-1). Neither is considered a contender this year.

The top threats to Djokovic are three younger players who have yet to break through on the biggest stage: Daniil Medvedev (6-1), Stefanos Tsitsipas (8-1) and Dominic Thiem (9-1). Medvedev lost to Nadal in five sets in the U.S. Open final last year. Thiem has made three Grand Slam finals, including losing to Djokovic in five sets at the Australian Open this year.

Veteran Milos Raonic also marked himself as a contender by reaching the final of the Western and Southern Open before losing to Djokovic in three sets Saturday. Raonic’s odds moved from 25-1 to 20-1, Osterman said.

The women’s side is much more wide open, especially with Osaka ailing. Williams has won 23 Grand Slams, but she has not claimed a major title since the 2017 Australian Open, before the birth of her daughter. She has lost in the past two U.S. Open finals, including to Osaka in 2018.

“People still haven’t backed away from Serena yet,” Osterman said. “We still have guys who come in and bet her with both hands.”

Other title contenders include Karolina Pliskova (10-1), a U.S. Open finalist in 2016; Sofia Kenin (18-1), who won the Australian Open this year; and perhaps Victoria Azarenka (251), a two-time U.S. Open finalist who claimed the Western and Southern Open title Saturday when Osaka withdrew.

The Buffalo Bills are favored to win the

AFC East this season for the first time in 25 years.

Whether they do probably will come down to the play of third-year quarterback Josh Allen, who last season ranked last among starting QBs in completion percentage (58.8).

“On the surface, Buffalo seems like the most polished team in that division. They have a great defense and run the ball well,” Westgate vice president of risk Ed Salmons said. “It’s which Josh Allen do you get?

“He needs to mature as a player and get more accurate with his throws. If he does mature and get better, Buffalo could be a Super Bowl team.”

At least one bettor at the Westgate is a big believer in the Bills. The gambler on Thursday placed a $3,350 wager to win $100,500 on Buffalo to win the Super Bowl (30-1).

Allen rushed for 1,141 yards and 17 TDs in his first two seasons. But he also has shown poor decision-making, including an ill-advised attempted lateral late in the Bills’ 22-19 playoff loss last season to the Texans.

The pieces are in place around him in NFL Coach of the Year candidate Sean McDermott (121), newly acquired star receiver Stefon Diggs and the league’s No. 2 returning scoring defense (16.5 points average).

“Diggs can stretch the field, and we know Allen has a big arm,” Sunset Station sportsbook director Chuck Esposito said. “There’s a lot of pressure on Allen to take the next step and be that elite quarterback for the Bills.”

Salmons said he leans to Buffalo going over its season win total of nine.

“Buffalo is a team built to win 10 games in the regular season because it’s in an easier division and it can take advantage of Miami and the Jets and even New England at home,” he said. “Buffalo is a tough place to play when the weather turns there in November.”

■ 2020 win total:

-130, under +110)

■ Super Bowl odds: 30-1

■ AFC East odds: -125

■ Odds to make playoffs: Yes -190, no +170

9 (over