US Open Tips, Odds and Predictions: Carlos and Coco the Way to Go

The final Grand Slam of the year is almost upon us, so it’s time for us to pick out our best US Open tips and predictions.

And the Slams in 2026 haven’t seen as much domination as we’ve been used to in recent years. On both the men’s and women’s tours there has been a different winner in the Australian Open, Roland Garros and Wimbledon.

Could that trend continue?  Let’s take a look at the runners and riders…

US Open Tips: Returning Alcaraz the Clear Favourite

With news that world number 1 Jannik Sinner will miss the tournament with a knee injury, it feels like the runway is clear for 6/4 favourite (PricedUp) Carlos Alcaraz to pick up a third US Open title.

But the Spaniard has sat out the last four months with a wrist issue, which provides something of an equaliser to the chasing pack. That said, I can’t see anyone beating a fresh Alcaraz over five sets, making him an easy pick for the men’s title.

James’ US Open Tips are available to back at PricedUp and odds are correct as of Tuesday 25 August at 10am UK time. 

Second-favourite in the betting is Alexander Zverev, who finally broke his Grand Slam duck with victory at the French at the start of the summer. The German has a decent (albeit losing) record against Alcarez at 6-7, but with four victories against Zverev in their last five meetings - including success in a 2023 US Open quarter-final - it’s fair to say Alcarez has his number for the time being.

We also can’t count out Novak Djokovic, who is aiming for a record-extending 25th men’s singles title. Alcaraz was the winner when the two met in the Australian Open final in January in four sets, and in the gruelling Grand Slam setting, does the Serb have what it takes to roll back the years and win over five sets against the man to beat?

For some outsider interest, I’m liking the value in Frenchman Arthur Fils, whose excellent year on tour continued with a maiden victory in the ATP 1000 event in Cincinnati earlier this month. That came off the back of a quarter-final run in Montreal and a semi-final in Madrid on the clay. The world number 11 is in a good spot and could provide each-way returns at 16/1.

US Open Predictions: A Sabalenka Hat-Trick?

She may not have picked up a Slam title this year, but Flushing Meadows has been Aryna Sabalenka’s patch for some time now.

The Belarussian is back-to-back defending champion and will take some stopping. She’s rightly favourite at 7/2, but after a superb start to the year that saw her reach the final in each of her first four tournaments (winning three), she hasn’t reached one since March’s Miami Open.

But someone in great form heading into New York is Coco Gauff, who is my US Open tip to win the women’s singles title at 6/1. The American has tasted success here before, beating Sabalenka in the 2023 final, and is playing some of the best tennis of her career, following victory at Cincinnati. 

And for my each-way US Open prediction in the women’s draw, my money is on Jessica Pegula. The 32-year-old is an experienced campaigner and has plenty going for her. She was a beaten finalist here in 2024, is fresh off a quarter-final run at Wimbledon, and reached the final in Cincinnati. If her draw is favourable, 14/1 could end up looking like a very big price.