"When this man wants something, he usually ends up getting it" - Mats Wilander pitches his US Open title favourite after Sinner withdrawal

The men's US Open has been blown wide open after the recent events and news updates. With the prior tournament favourite Jannik Sinner unable to compete, Mats Wilander has hedged his bets in Novak Djokovic reigning supreme in New York and picking up an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam title.

Out of all the opportunities Djokovic has had this year, this latest one could be his best shot at glory. Against the odds he defeated Sinner at the Australian Open before losing against Alcaraz. It was an electrifying display which proved that he could still compete with the best players in the world.

Roland Garros was a huge opportunity missed. With Alcaraz injured and Sinner out, Djokovic would have fancied his chances. However, a certain Joao Fonseca would complete a mesmeric comeback on Philippe Chatrier to end Djokovic's Roland Garros quests. It was back to normality at Wimbledon as Sinner downed the eight-time champion to defend his title at SW19.

With the US Open set to start at the end of next week, there are question marks surrounding Djokovic. While he was very positive of his body which recovered really well after that Wimbledon run, an early exit in the Cincinnati Open against Thiago Agustin Tirante was a cause for concern.

He will hope to have that sorted at the US Open with a possible vulnerability there to be latched onto by his opponents.

Former World No.1 and seven-time Grand Slam winner Wilander is one of the tennis analysts gazing across the field for this men's US Open curious to see the outcome. He has made his prediction, believing that Djokovic will stand above the rest and finally earn his 25th Grand Slam title, his fifth at Flushing Meadows.

"It wouldn't shock me if Novak Djokovic were to win the US Open trophy," he said. "He has accomplished every goal he has set out to do in tennis except for one. The 25th Grand Slam is the only one that has eluded him so far. But when this man wants something, he usually ends up getting it. I wouldn't bet against him."

Djokovic's last Grand Slam came at the US Open back in 2023. Since then he has reached two major finals and lost in six semi-finals as his wait for an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam painfully prolongs with him running out of time.

This one, however, could be different. No Sinner is a huge plus. His brilliance on hardcourts would have made him the title favourite, but that is no longer the case with his right knee injury. There is a mystery surrounding Alcaraz and his fitness. What is for sure is that his match sharpness will be very low with him having not played a match since April in the first round at the Barcelona Open.

On the contrary, he may come back onto the court and produce his best level without any hesitation and blast his way to an eighth Grand Slam title, a third in New York, while defending his triumph from last year.

Other contestants include the Roland Garros winner Alexander Zverev. His form in the Canadian Open and Cincinnati Open has come under scrutiny with some surprising early defeats that has stunted his progress. American duo Taylor Fritz and Ben Shelton could produce something special. The inform Rafael Jodar and Arthur Fils will have something to say with other top candidates including Alex de Minaur, Daniil Medvedev, Felix Auger-Aliassime, Flavio Cobolli and Casper Ruud all outside shots at a triumphant run in New York. The singles main draw will kick off from August 30 - September 13.