Stan Hey: 6-5 Against

Crumbling rivals offer Murray his best shot at Slam

Where would you rather be right now?

Sitting under an umbrella watching the English summer dribble away? Or baking your head in the noisy bowls of the Billie Jean King Tennis Center in New York? All you need is a bet and a telly and the US Open is yours.

And though this final Grand Slam of the year can be an ordeal for the players with high humidity, the constant roar of jets overhead and unyielding cement courts – one reason, perhaps, why Rafael Nadal, with his dodgy knees, has yet to bag this title – the tournament buzzes, especially with the night matches in full swing.

All eyes will be on five-times champion Roger Federer, dethroned by Juan Martin del Potro last year, with some commentators marking it as the changing of a generation. Federer duly won the Australian Open at the beginning of 2010 but has since lost his air of invincibility.

With Nadal vulnerable, Novak Djokovic out of form and Del Potro out injured, this must surely count as Andy Murray's best chance of bagging a Grand Slam event especially as New York is his favourite gig. Unfettered by coaches, he should just hit his way to the title – £20 at 100-30 Stan James. Best outsider is Tomas Berdych, £5 each-way at 20-1, Totesport.

The women's tournament is equally open with Serena Williams and Justine Henin missing. We landed the place money with runner-up Caroline Wozniacki last year and now she's the No 1 seed – £10 at 8-1 with Ladbrokes for the Dane to go one better.