Tim Henman has chosen a player who he thinks can win the US Open that isn’t at the top of everyone’s list.
After a long gruelling summer which included the grass court season, the Olympic Games and the North American swing, the final Grand Slam of the season has now commenced.
Three players in Carlos Alcaraz, defending champion Novak Djokovic and world number one Jannik Sinner are the leading title contenders in the eyes of many.
But Tim Henman reckons another player could slip under the radar and cause a shock at Flushing Meadows.
Which ‘underrated’ player does Tim Henman think can win the US Open?
The US Open has not seen a male player successfully defend their title since Roger Federer in 2008.
Alcaraz was unable to defend his title in 2023, but he has enjoyed a special summer in which he claimed the French Open and Wimbledon titles, in addition to an Olympics silver medal.
World number one Jannik Sinner won the Australian Open in January, and claimed the Cincinnati Open in the leadup to the US Open.
Djokovic will aim to defend his title fresh off winning the Olympics, but despite the form and pedigree of these three men, Henman is looking at Alexander Zverev as a player to cause a surprise in New York.
“I like to go slightly off piste at times and I think when you look at the top three of Sinner, Djokovic and Alcaraz, they are phenomenal players, they have won plenty of Grand Slams, so they have a good opportunity,” he told Sky.
“But I just think Zverev is under the radar. I think Zverev’s level of play is underrated. When he is playing averagely that keeps him in the top 10.
“I just feel that he has been knocking on the door for so long, that door is going to open. I do believe I have taken a bit of a punt but I’m comfortable with that.”
Who will Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner play at the US Open?
Alcaraz is going in pursuit of a second US Open title following his success in 2022.
The Spaniard is looking to rebound from his Cincinnati Open defeat to Gael Monfils and he will commence his US Open campaign against qualifier Li Tu.
Sinner, who has been the biggest talking point over the past week, will begin his quest for the US Open success against home favourite Mackenzie McDonald.
Djokovic will break the tie with Margaret Court with 25 Grand Slams if he is able to win the US Open for a record-equalling fifth time.
His mission will begin under the lights on Arthur Ashe Stadium against Moldova’s Radu Albot, who came through the qualifiers.
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