US Open 2015: How Serena Williams, Novak Djokovic Have Played, Chances They Win The Title

Serena Williams US Open 2015 — No. 1 Serena Williams faces an easier road to the U.S. Open title than her men's counterpart and No. 1 Novak Djokovic. Getty Images

Largely living up to their top rankings and billing, No. 1 Novak Djokovic and No. 1 Serena Williams have cruised through the early phases of the U.S. Open and still stand as heavy favorites to win the season’s final slam event. After two rounds, Williams holds steady as a 2/5 favorite on the women’s side and Djokovic sits atop the men’s field at 5/6, according to the latest odds from Sportsbook.ag.

Both superstars have yet to lose a single set through the first two rounds and enter Friday’s third round with a significant edge over their opponents. The 33-year-old Williams is seeking the Grand Slam and earned wins over Kiki Bertens and Vitakia Diatchenko, the latter forced to retire two games into the second set due to injury.

Djokovic downed Joao Souza and Andres Haider-Maurer, both in straight sets, and appeared uncharacteristically jubilant and animated after his most recent victory, perhaps a sign the 28-year-old is relaxed and confident heading into the later rounds.

Looking ahead, Williams could be poised to coast to the final. With No. 3 Maria Sharapova opting to sit out due to injury and No. 5 Caroline Wozniacki falling in the second round, Williams’ main competition is now No. 20 Victoria Azarenka at 7/1 odds, No. 2 Simona Halep at 8/1, and No. 4 Petra Kvitova at 10/1.

Djokvoic faces a much stiffer field with No. 2 Roger Federer at 9/1, No. 3 Andy Murray at 19/5, No. 5 Stan Wawrinka at 12/1, and No. 8 Rafael Nadal at 20/1. Wawrinka upset Djokovic at the French Open final earlier this year, but they won’t square off again unless both reach the final.

Instead, Djokovic could stare down Nadal in the quarterfinals, though Djokovic has claimed six of their last seven meetings.

Williams meets No. 99 American Bethanie Mattek-Sands in the third round at Arthur Ashe Stadium, the fourth match of the day starting roughly at 7 p.m. ET. The two have never met in a slam event, and not since 2008, but Williams has won both of their matches without dropping a set.

Djokovic will meet No. 25 Andreas Seppi beginning at 3 p.m. ET at Arthur Ashe, and he holds a perfect 10-0 record over the Italian. In fact, Djokovic has lost only four total sets to Seppi.