1 September 2026
By Roger Kennedy
roger@TheCork.ie
Entertainment / Sport
In this 1xBet.ie review, we look back at some of the most memorable moments in US Open history.
The final major of 2026 is already underway. At the end of this overview, you’ll find odds on the leading contenders in the men’s and women’s singles draws. Right now, the betting company 1xBet.ie is offering new customers the chance to increase their welcome bonus using promo code 1XWIN26: bet €10 and receive a €48 free bet!
Ice and fire on hard courts
The epic rivalry between Björn Borg and John McEnroe was so compelling that it became the basis for the feature film Borg vs McEnroe. The Swede and the American met twice with the US Open at stake, but the 1980 final was particularly memorable. McEnroe won the first two sets and was one step away from defending his title. Borg fought back in the third, winning the tiebreak, and carried that momentum into the fourth. Going into the fifth set, McEnroe had the raucous support of the crowd on his side, while Borg had gained a psychological edge over his opponent. In the end, McEnroe secured the decisive break, taking the set 6–4 and with it the match. Borg, who dominated Roland-Garros and Wimbledon, never managed to win the US Open during his professional career.
Sisters by blood, rivals on court
The 2001 and 2002 US Opens marked a period of unchallenged dominance by the Williams sisters, who faced each other in the final both years. Venus won the first meeting 6–2, 6–4, before Serena took revenge the following year with a 6–4, 6–3 victory. Their father once predicted that Venus would become world No. 1 and Serena would become the greatest women’s tennis player in history. Richard Williams, who devoted his heart, soul, and resources to his daughters’ development, kept his word.
Upstart Juan Martín del Potro
By 2009, Roger Federer had won five consecutive US Open titles, matching the Open Era record held by Pete Sampras and Jimmy Connors. A sixth title would have put the Swiss ahead of both. Everything seemed to be going Federer’s way as he reached the final. Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal both fell in the semi-finals, while Juan Martín del Potro was considered the underdog in the title match. Federer confidently took the opening set 6–3, showing who was the true master of the court. The second went to a tiebreak, which the Argentine won. From there, the match swung back and forth: Federer moved ahead again by taking the third 6–4, before del Potro once more demonstrated his composure in a fourth-set tiebreak. In the fifth, the Argentine found his stride and won 6–2 to claim his first and only Grand Slam title.
Martina Navratilova: how to win the US Open at 50
In 2006, Martina Navratilova decided to give herself an early birthday present by entering the mixed doubles event. The experienced Navratilova knew that the field was less competitive and that she still had a strong chance of winning the title at that stage of her career. The former world No. 1 chose Bob Bryan, one of the best doubles players in tennis history, as her partner. The American duo comfortably defeated the Czech pairing of Květa Peschke and Martin Damm 6–2, 6–3 in the final. Navratilova was 49 years and almost 11 months old that day. Today, US Open organisers have radically changed their approach to what was once a relatively low-profile event. With a new format and $1 million in prize money for the champions, mixed doubles now attracts many of the world’s leading players.
Who are the favourites for the 2026 US Open men’s and women’s singles titles?
Shortly before the start of the 2026 US Open, Jannik Sinner suffered a right knee injury and withdrew from the tournament. The absence of the world No. 1 opens the door for Carlos Alcaraz to pursue another Grand Slam title. The defending US Open champion is currently considered the leading favourite at odds of 13/8; however, the Spaniard has missed half the season because of a wrist injury and has not played since mid-April. Given the circumstances, Alexander Zverev, at odds of 333/100, and Novak Djokovic, at 7/1, also have stronger chances of claiming the title.
In the women’s draw, the top four contenders are:
- Aryna Sabalenka – 5/2
- Iga Świątek – 5/1
- Coco Gauff – 6/1
- Elena Rybakina – 6/1
Cheer on your favourite players and share the joy of victory with some of the world’s best tennis stars!
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