Four intriguing challengers remain in the mix for the 2023 U.S. Open men's singles crown in New York. Both semifinal matches are scheduled for Friday, with No. 2 seed Novak Djokovic taking on Ben Shelton with the winner advancing to the final. Djokovic breezed to his 47th grand slam semifinal appearance, while Shelton will make his first. The match is set to take place at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Flushing Meadows, with the winner to face either Daniil Medvedev or Carlos Alcaraz in the final.
Djokovic is a -1600 favorite (risk $1,600 to win $100) in the latest Djokovic vs. Shelton odds, with Shelton getting +800 (risk $100 to win $800) as the underdog. The over/under for total games is 31.5, with Djokovic favored by 7.5 games. Before making any Djokovic vs. Shelton picks or 2023 U.S. Open predictions, you need to see what tennis expert Jose Onorato has to say.
Onorato grew up playing competitive tennis in Caracas, Venezuela. After coming to the U.S., he trained with famed coach Nick Bollettieri at IMG Academy in Florida and faced players like Robert Farah, now one of the world's top-ranked doubles players. Onorato, who holds dual degrees in finance and economics from the University of Miami, does extensive research before placing any tennis bet.
He studies current form, players' tendencies on a particular surface, weather conditions and many other relevant factors. That systematic approach has helped Onorato go 128-90-7 (+69.25 units) since 2022.
Now, Onorato has scrutinized the latest U.S. Open 2023 odds and released his coveted best bet for the Djokovic vs. Shelton semifinal match. He's sharing his pick and analysis only at SportsLine.
Novak Djokovic vs. Ben Shelton preview
Shelton will face an immense challenge in the semifinal, but he is on quite a run. The 20-year-old is the youngest American man to reach the U.S. Open semifinal in more than three decades, and his serve is captivating. Shelton has produced multiple serves beyond 135 miles per hour in the event, and his all-court performance against Frances Tiafoe in the quarterfinal turned heads. Shelton won that match in four sets, and he held a 50-34 edge in winners. That came after a notable win over Tommy Paul in the fourth round, and Shelton is in line for a top-20 ranking after this tournament.
On the other side, Djokovic needs no introduction. The two players have never met in competitive action, but Shelton undoubtedly knows that Djokovic is the all-time men's leader with 23 grand slams. He's won three U.S. Opens, and Djokovic is 9-3 in U.S. Open semifinals. Also, Djokovic is 23-1 in the last 24 matches, with the only loss coming in an epic marathon against Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon. He thrashed Taylor Fritz in straight sets in the quarterfinal, losing only nine games and breaking Fritz's serve on six occasions. All eyes will be on how Djokovic responds to Shelton's powerful serve. See who Onorato is backing right here.
How to make Djokovic vs. Shelton picks
In addition to a full breakdown of the match, Onorato has released a pair of strong best bets. Be sure to see Onorato's pick and analysis before locking in your 2023 U.S. Open picks.
What are the best bets for Djokovic vs. Shelton in the semifinals of the 2023 U.S. Open? Visit SportsLine now to see Jose Onorato's best bets, all from the tennis expert who's up nearly 70 units since 2022, and find out.
