We're on to the second round of the US Open, and there are plenty of great bets to make on Wednesday. Once again, I've got my eye on two underdogs who may not come into this one with much fanfare, but they should stand to play good matches.
Let's get into how to bet Mackenzie McDonald vs Borna Gojo and Laslo Djere vs Huge Gaston.
Here are my Wednesday US Open picks.
Match times are subject to change. Read here for advice on viewing US Open matches.
Wednesday US Open Picks
Mackenzie McDonald (-270) vs Borna Gojo (+215)
11 a.m. ET
By seeding and name value, Mackenzie McDonald's win over Felix Auger-Aliassime on Monday was monumental, and perhaps one of the bigger of the American's career. However, with the way Auger-Aliassime has been running, and how he played in that match, I don't think we should give McDonald all that much credit.
McDonald hit just 34 winners to 37 unforced errors, and his opponent coughed up a whopping 52 in just four sets — one of which was over in seven games. He had a ton of help, and I don't think he'll be as fortunate against a Borna Gojo.
The Croatian has a pretty big serve, which should keep him in this match and help him cover the spread. While I'm skeptical of whether he can win, I think his level is more than enough to take at least set off of McDonald and make this a very competitive affair.
I realize Gojo drew an incredibly easy opponent in Hugo Dellien, but he did land 73% of his first serves, a number that isn't contingent on the opponent. He's a good server, and he's beaten some pesky players in qualifying to build up momentum.
Pick: Gojo +4.5 Games (-110)
Laslo Djere (-200) vs. Hugo Gaston (+165)
12:15 p.m. ET
Laslo Djere is a pretty good player who can hit the ball hard enough and win points off of his serve. In theory, he should be a good hardcourt player, and it feels like he's been good on the surface as I seem to remember some hardcourt wins over the past two seasons.
Well, would you believe it if I told you he's just 17-15 on hardcourts over the past two seasons? Would you then believe me if I told you Hugo Gaston's career hardcourt record is better than Djere's? It is.
Gaston found some form this year on the Challenger Tour, where he won back-to-back titles in July. He lost in Cincinnati qualifiers, but we know he's a very capable player – on any surface – when he's feeling right. It sure seems like he's playing solid tennis at the moment, and, on the other hand, Djere enters this one with some hardcourt wins over less-than-quality opponents.
This won't be a popular pick, but I believe in fading Djere at this price, on a surface where he's lost more than he's won in his career (51-62 across all competitions)
Pick: Gaston Moneyline (+165)
