US Open Final 2018: Novak Djokovic vs. Juan Martin Del Potro Betting Odds, Prediction

The last time Novak Djokovic was in a U.S. Open final was in 2016, when he began his showdown with Stan Wawrinka by winning the first-set tie-breaker only to surrender the next three sets. The Serbian star will look to avoid such a fate Sunday when he faces No. 3 Juan Martin del Potro in the 2018 U.S. Open final.

Djokovic is the clear favorite at 2/5 odds, while Del Potro has 2/1 odds, according to OddsChecker. Djokovic, currently ranked No. 6, went into the tournament as the favorite at 10/3 odds.

Both players enter the final after not overly exerting themselves in the semifinal. Del Potro had a two-set lead on defending champion Rafael Nadal — 7-6 (3) 6-2 after two hours and one minute of play — before Nadal chose to retire from the match due to knee pain. Djokovic was on the court for two hours and 21 minutes in his Friday night win over Kei Nishikori, 6-3 6-4 6-2.

After missing the tournament in 2017, Djokovic has looked like a man on a mission this year in reaching his record-tying eighth U.S. Open final.

Despite suffering through some unexpectedly tough competition in the first two rounds, the 31-year-old has pounded the rest of the competition, winning 13 straight sets. He cruised past players like Richard Gasquet, Joao Sousa and John Millman on his road to the semifinals.

While Djokovic has looked typically sharp at Flushing Meadows, Del Potro should not be overlooked.

The 29-year-old, who is listed at 6-foot-6, has a powerful serve and went into his match with Nadal having served up 66 aces in the tournament. Only American John Isner has taken a set off of him in New York and it came in a tie-breaker.

Del Potro has battled past multiple wrist injuries to be a consistent dark horse to the likes of Roger Federer, Nadal and Djokovic. The Argentine's only Grand Slam win is his 2009 U.S. Open title and he reached the semifinals last year.

Prediction: While Djokovic should come away with the win, Del Potro will apply plenty of pressure and make things interesting. Don't be surprised if Del Potro forces more than one tie-breaker, but fizzles out due to Djokovic's intense focus.

Djokovic in straight sets