Novak Djokovic has had an amazing year in 2021. He has won the Australian Open, Roland Garros, and the Wimbledon titles this year. He is a huge favorite for the 2021 US Open title as well.
Novak Djokovic
We look at the 5 players that can stop him from winning the US Open 2021.
1. Alexander Zverev
Alexander Zverev
Alexander Zverev is in stunning form coming into the US Open 2021, having won the Olympic gold medal and the Cincinnati Masters 1000. He has tasted success at the US Open in the past as well. The German defeated Novak in the semi-final at the Tokyo Olympics 2021. He made the final in 2020.
His strengths are his serve and his backhand. He has a 3-6 win-loss record against Novak. He is drawn to face Novak in the semi-final if both progress to that round. He is vulnerable to double faults and his forehand breaking down. In my opinion, he is the biggest threat in denying Novak the title in New York.
2. Daniil Medvedev
Daniil Medvedev
The Russian is also in good form heading into the US Open 2021, having won the Toronto Masters 1000 and reaching the semi-final in Cincinnati 2021. Daniil Medvedev is another contender in stopping Novak from winning the US Open 2021. He has had success at the US Open 2021, as well as he reached the final in 2019 and semi-final in 2020.
His strengths are his movement, serve and backhand. Weaknesses include playing too passively sometimes, and his forehand can break down. He has a 3-5 win-loss record against Novak. He is drawn to face Novak in the final if both make it that far. I would rate him as the second biggest threat to Novak in New York.
3. Stefanos Tsitsipas
Stefanos Tsitsipas
Number 3 on our list is the Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas. He has an all-around game that can trouble anyone. He was close to defeating Novak in the Roland Garros final in 2021. He hasn't tasted too much success in New York, with his best result being 3rd round in 2020.
His strengths are his serve, forehand, and his netplay. His backhand and return of serve can be a liability sometimes. He has a 2-6 win-loss record against Novak. He is drawn to face Novak in the final if both make it that far. I would rate him as the 3rd biggest threat to Novak winning the crown in New York in 2021.
4. Matteo Berrettini
Matteo Berrettini
Number 4 on our list is the Italian Matteo Berrettini. He was a semi-finalist in 2019, so he knows the conditions in New York. He is also in good form as he made the final in Wimbledon 2021, losing to Novak Djokovic. he
His strengths are his monstrous serve and his humungous forehand. The backhand, in comparison, is a lot weaker and can be a big issue for him. The Italian is drawn to face Novak in the quarter-final. He has a 0-3 win-loss record against Novak but could the 2021 US Open be where he finally picks up a win over Novak?
5. Andrey Rublev
Andrey Rublev
Number 5 on our list is the Russian Andrey Rublev. He certainly has the game to take it to Novak. He hasn't been in the best of form coming into the US Open 2021. He has had relative success at the Open, with quarter-final appearances in 2020 and 2017 being his best results.
One issue for Rublev could be that he hasn't made any Grand Slam finals to date. His strengths are his serve and forehand. The backhand is solid, but I don't expect too many winners coming from it. He hasn't played against Novak to date. If they both meet at the US Open 2021, it will be in the final match. Will it all change at the Flushing Meadows in 2021?
In the end, I would like to summarise that although Novak is the big favorite here in New York in 2021, he could start to feel the pressure of the Grand Slam as he gets closer to the final. He has won the US Open 2021 3 times but has also lost 5 times in the final. So can someone from above stop him in his tracks? We will have to wait till 12 September 2021.
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