Djoker wins US Open, favourite for every tennis major in 2016

NOVAK Djokovic is a genius on the tennis court.

The Serbian superstar has done it again, the world number one conquering his nemesis Roger Federer in the US Open final.

And, thanks to the win, coupled with the fact he’s the best in the business, Djokovic is favoured to win Wimbledon, the Australian Open and French Open with our friends at WilliamHill.com.au.

He’d be the favourite for next year’s US Open as well, but the bookies are still finalising odds on the final, a day removed from the event.

The Djoker, as he is affectionately known, is the $2.20 favourite to win the Australian Open under the blistering summer heat.

Andy Murray is his nearest challenger at $5.50, while Spaniard Rafael Nadal is the only other tennis player in single figures at $8.

The Serb is also $2.20 to win the French Open, with Nadal a $4 second favourite and last year’s winner big Stanislas Wawrinka at $8.

You’ll get a little more juice for Djokovic to win Wimbledon – he’s $2.25 to win in England, with “home town hero” Murray second at $4.50.

Roger Federer is third on the line of betting at $7.

Djokovic was like a polished wrist watch, making few mistakes and finishing with aplomb against the ageing star, who has wound back the clock in this tournament, making it to the final without dropping a set.

But that all changed on Monday, AEST.

Federer was gunning to be the oldest US Open winner in 45 years, but it wasn’t to be as Djokovic kept it tight early and then wore him down in four sets, 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 5-4.

The Djoker is a man who is the best tennis player on the planet, but he has mountains of respect for his vanquished opponent.

“I have to share my admiration for Roger, everything he’s still doing for tennis,” Djokovic said after the match.

“It was a tough one tonight.

“I have a tremendous respect for Roger, an incredible record.

“Coming on court knowing you are playing against probably the best player in the game adds a little bit more pressure.

“I knew he was going to be very aggressive.

“It was a quite incredible evening for me.”

This pair first played eight years ago.

And the rivalry couldn’t be closer.

Djokovic’s triumph made it 21 wins apiece in competitive tennis for the two stars.

It’s remarkable, but while the 28-year-old is at the absolute peak of his powers, Federer, 34, is the fading star and you get the feeling this contest is now the Djoker’s realm.

It was Djokovic’s third grand slam win of 2015, the win adding to his Australian Open and Wimbledon titles. He was only denied a Grand Slam sweep by Stanislas Wawrinka in the French Open final.

Translation is he is the best player on the planet.

It was the second time he had taken out the US Open title and he now has 10 major titles – just seven less than Federer.

But, so loved is the Swiss master at Flushing Meadows, that Djokovic copped some serious hostility from the crowd, with boos ringing out against him.

“I’m there to earn the support and hopefully in the future I can be in that position,” Djokovic said.

“You do have some ups and downs in concentration.

“It’s important to go back to basics and remember why you are there and what you need to do.

”Everybody has a choice to support a player that they want to support.

“I can’t sit here and criticise the crowd.

”On the contrary, I think it’s logical to expect that a great player and a champion like Roger has the majority of the support anywhere I play him.

“He absolutely deserves to have the support he does because of all the years and success that he had and the way he carries himself on and off the court.

“No question about it.”

You have to tip your hat to Federer.

He hasn’t won a major title since Wimbledon in 2012, but his US Open was about as good as anyone can churn out.

He didn’t drop a set until he had to face Djokovic in the final, and that included a brilliant straight sets win over the in form Wawrinka that put him into the decider.

“It felt great to be back in a US final after six years,” he said.

“I’ve had a wonderful two weeks, very happy with my tennis.

“I enjoyed it and thought it was a great match.

“It’s been a good rivalry, maybe not tonight.

“I think we walk away from it knowing more about our games and more about ourselves.

“The last year six years, I came close a few times.

And he says he will be back next year.

“I love tennis. I’ll see you back here next year,” he said.

While it was the men’s final everyone wanted, Italy shocked the world by taking both slots in the women’s final, Flavia Pennetta knocking over compatriot Roberta Vinci, 7-6 (7-4) 6-2, becoming just the second woman from her country to win a major title.

The 33 year old then promptly retired from the sport.

“I make a big decision in my life – this is the way I like to say goodbye to tennis.”

“One month ago I decided that this is the way I would say goodbye to tennis.

“This is my last and I couldn’t think of finishing in a better way.

She takes home US$3.3 million in prize money for her win.

Not a bad way to go out.

Her opponent can be forgiven for her meek effort in the final – she played the match of her life a day earlier when she knocked over world number one Serena Williams, stopping her from taking the Serena Slam of all four major titles in a calendar year.

Vinci said beating Serena was a “miracle”.

“Two Italians can reach the final – a second miracle,” she said.

“And one Italian can win a grand slam.

“I am really happy and really happy for Flavia.

“It’s tough to play against a player who you have known for a long time.

”I tried to play my best, but Flavia played unbelievable and I have to say congrats to her.“

2016 Australian Open markets

Men’s winner:

Novak Djokovic ($2.20)

Andy Murray ($5.50)

Rafael Nadal ($8)

Roger Federer ($11)

Stan Wawrinka ($13)

Kei Nishikori ($17)

Juan Martin Del Potro ($21)

Tomas Berdych ($34)

Milos Raonic ($34)

Marin CIlic ($34)

Grigor Dimitrov ($34)

Nick Kyrgios ($51)

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga ($51)

Bernard Tomic ($67)

Women’s winner:

Serena Williams ($2.75)

Petra Kvitova ($9)

Maria Sharapova ($11)

Victoria Azarenka ($11)

Karolina Pliskova ($21)

Madison Keys ($21)

Belinda Bencic ($26)

Lucie Safarova ($26)

Sabine Lisicki ($26)

2016 French Open markets

Men’s winner:

Novak Djokovic ($2.20)

Rafael Nadal ($4)

Stan Wawrinka ($8)

Andy Murray ($11)

Kei Nishikori ($17)

Roger Federer ($21)

Juan Martin Del Potro ($34)

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga ($34)

Women’s winner:

Serena Williams ($3)

Maria Sharapova ($6)

Simona Halep ($9)

Victoria Azarenka ($9)

Petra Kvitova ($13)

Garbine Muguruza ($17)

Lucie Safarova ($21)

Eugenie Bouchard ($26)

Caroline Wozniacki ($26)

2016 Wimbledon markets

Men’s winner:

Novak Djokovic ($2.25)

Andy Murray ($4.50)

Roger Federer ($7)

Stan Wawrinka ($13)

Rafael Nadal ($13)

Milos Raonic ($26)

Kei Nishikori ($26)

Grigor Dimitrov ($26)

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga ($34)

Nick Kyrgios ($41)

Women’s winner:

Serena Williams ($2.50)

Petra Kvitova ($6)

Victoria Azarenka ($10)

Maria Sharapova ($11)

Simona Halep ($15)

Garbine Muguruza ($17)

Belinda Bencic ($21)

Karolina Pliskova ($26)

Madison Keys ($26)

Agnieszka Radwanska ($34)

Angelique Kerber ($34)

Caroline Wozniacki ($34)