US Open 2021: How to watch, who's playing, who's favored to win

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The U.S. Open is welcoming fans back to the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, N.Y., after holding its 2020 event without spectators.

Although several top names will be missing in action due to injury -- including Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams and Venus Williams -- the No. 1-ranked players on both singles tours will be looking to regain their form from Wimbledon after disappointing performances at the Olympics. Ash Barty of Australia will be going for her second straight major title and third overall.

Meanwhile, Serbia’s Novak Djokovic is looking to win all four majors in 2021 despite missing out on a Golden Slam by not medaling at the Tokyo Olympics. No male tennis player has completed a calendar Grand Slam sweep since Australia’s Rod Laver did it in 1969. (Djokovic did win four Grand Slams in a row between Wimbledon in 2015 and the French Open in 2016.)

Here’s everything you need to know about the 141st U.S. Open:

When is the 2021 U.S. Open? 

The 2021 US Open begins on Monday, Aug. 30, and concludes on Sunday, Sept. 12.

The first round of the main draw begins at 11 a.m. on Aug. 30. The second round begins on Wednesday, Sept. 1, while the third round begins on Friday, Sept. 3.

The quarterfinal round of the 2021 US Open begins on Tuesday, Sept. 7, at 11 a.m. The women's semifinals will take place on Thursday, Sept. 9, at 7 p.m. The men's semifinals will be held at the same time the following day, Friday, Sept. 8.

The women's final will take place on Saturday, Sept. 11 at 4 p.m. The men's final will begin on Sunday, Sept. 12, also at 4 p.m.

How can I watch the 2021 U.S. Open?

The 2021 US Open will be broadcast on ESPN. Streaming will also be available on ESPN.com and through the ESPN app.

Can fans attend the 2021 U.S. Open?

The U.S. Open plans to have fans at 100% capacity, although no spectators were allowed during the qualifying rounds because of the number of players and staff on site at that time.

As of August 27, the U.S. Open will be requiring all ticket holders to provide proof of at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. The USTA made this decision after the New York City mayor’s office announced that everyone entering Arthur Ashe Stadium would have to be vaccinated. More information for fans can be found here.

What is the 2021 U.S. Open draw?

The men's draw features Novak Djokovic as a top seed as he looks to regain his title and head towards a Calendar Slam. He will face off against Tallon Griekspoor or Jan-Lennard Struff. Djokovic will have US Open finalist Kei Nishikori and Matteo Berrettini in his quarter. For the women, No. 1 seed Ashleigh Barty will take on Vera Zvonareva and defending champion Naomi Osaka will open against Marie Bouzkova in Round 1. She could face three-time Grand Slam champion Angelique Kerber or Coco Gauff in Round 4.

Who is favored to win the men’s tournament at the U.S. Open?

According to our partner, PointsBet, Djokovic (-141) is a heavy favorite on the men’s side. One of the players with the best chances of upsetting Djokovic in New York already got the better of the world No. 1 in Tokyo: No. 4 Alexander Zverev of Germany defeated Djokovic in the semifinals of the Olympics last month.

Here are the latest odds for the men’s U.S. Open title:

Novak Djokovic, -141

Daniil Medvedev, +400

Alexander Zverev, +600

Stefanos Tsitsipas, +900

Matteo Berrettini,+2000

Andrey Rublev, +2800

Jannik Sinner, +3300

Milos Raonic, +3300

Denis Shapovalov, +4000

Felix Auger Aliassime, +5000

Andy Murray, +6000

Aslan Karatsev, +6000

Nick Kyrgios, +6000

Karen Khachanov, +6000

Hubert Hurkacz, +6000

Who is favored to win the women’s tournament at the U.S. Open?

Top-seeded Barty has the shortest odds to win the U.S. Open at +375, according to our partner, PointsBet. The two-time major champion has never made it past the Round of 16 at the U.S. Open.

Naomi Osaka of Japan is the second favorite at +500. Despite also having an early exit at the Olympics in the third round, withdrawing from the French Open and skipping Wimbledon this year, Osaka remains the No. 3-ranked player in the world. 

No. 2-ranked Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus has +1200 odds and is looking for her first major championship.

Here are the latest odds for the women’s U.S. Open title:

Ash Barty, +375

Naomi Osaka, +500

Aryna Sabalenka, +1200

Iga Swiatek, +1600

Karolina Pliskova, +1600

Cori Gauff, +1600

Bianca Andreescu, +2000

Simona Halep, +2000

Barbora Krejcikova, +2200

Garbine Muguruza, +2500

Petra Kvitova, +2500

Victoria Azarenka, +3300

Belinda Bencic, +3300

Paula Badosa, +3300

Editor's note: All odds are provided by our partner, PointsBet. PointsBet is our Official Sports Betting Partner and we may receive compensation if you place a bet on PointsBet for the first time after clicking our links.

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