One of the biggest tennis betting tournaments in the year is right around the corner. Arguably the most action-packed major if not the most prestigious (tough to knock Wimbledon off the pedestal there), the U.S. Open will lay out the hard court for the big guns and watch them rocket 140mph serves back and forth until your neck hurts.

Played at Flushing Meadows in New York, the Open will be the first big chance for Rafael Nadal to show he’s back and a force to be reckoned with. While Federer was setting all sorts of records this summer, Nadal was no doubt fuming on his bum knee, waiting for the moment he could return and show the world why he never should’ve lost that No. 1 ranking in the first place.

Of course Federer will be the odds on favorite, as he should, but I wouldn’t blindly throw my money behind him the way you should’ve at Wimbledon. Aside from Nadal (who really shouldn’t be considered for the title, either, unless he really gets on a role in the week before the tourney starts), there are others who have reason to lay claim to being a favorite.

American Andy Roddick, for one, wants this like nothing else. Seeking major redemption for his crushing defeat, he wants to show he’s not No. 4 or No. 1, but a top-tier player in men’s tennis. If he shows the heart he did in Great Britain, and can maintain his focus to avoid unforced errors, I would put my money behind his emotion kicking in that extra boost that can put him over the top. Roddick should be bet on at least through the quarterfinals. The odds won’t yield much return, but what you’re doing is just building up a bankroll through the earlier rounds so you can lay a nice wager on the semi-finals and championship game. Depending on who makes it through, you’ll be glad you kept the risk down until the payoff was worth it.

Here are my tennis betting odds bold predictions for the tournament at the later rounds. Federer, Roddick, Nadal and Murray make it to the semis. But Federer and Roddick meet in the semi-finals, and Roddick stuns the world here. Federer goes down in 4 sets. Murray beats Nadal, and Roddick gets the opening he needs to take the major, beating Murray in 4 sets, as well.