As expected, two-time defending U.S. Open Champion Serena Williams and 2014 French Open winner Maria Sharapova are the odds-on favorites to claim the final grand slam of the tennis season. We covered their chances of victory in our U.S. Open Women’s Singles Preview.
We also highlighted Wimbledon champ Petra Kvitova and Caroline Wozniaki as decent value to make some noise and possibly win the event. Today we look at three more potential sleepers who could have what it takes to upset the big names at Flushing Meadows.
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Three 2014 U.S. Open Tennis Women’s Singles High-Value Sleepers
Victoria Azarenka
It’s been a frustrating season to say the least for Victoria Azarenka. A nagging left foot injury has caused her to miss much of the season, which has seen her drop from a top 3 player since 2011 (and No. 1 in 2012) to her lowly No. 17 ranking today.
[sc:Other240banner ]But even with her injury concerns, few are better on the hardcourt than Azarenka. The 25-year old Belarussian has won 16 of her 17 career WTA singles titles on hardcourt (although four were indoor hardcourt).
She has also reached four grand slam finals in her career – twice on the hardcourt of the Australian Open and twice on the hardcourt of the U.S. Open. Despite winning both times in Australia, Azarenka has fallen in consecutive years to Serena Williams at Flushing.
Oddsmakers don’t seem too concerned about Azarenka’s health. They have her at +800 to finally break through and win the U.S. Open this year.
Agnieszka Radwanska
It’s been another stellar season for World No. 5 Agnieszka Radwanska. The 25-year old Pole began the year by reaching the semifinals of the Australian Open, her best grand slam finish outside of Wimbledon. Since then, Radwanska has reached six other tournament semifinals, four of which coming on hardcourt.
Radwanska thrives on the hardcourt. Since 2011, she’s 158-41 (79%) on the surface, with nine hardcourt tournament wins to her name. Her most recent one came just this August, when she defeated Victoria Azarenka and Venus Williams en route to the Rogers Cup in Montreal. Radwanska is +2,500 to carry that good form to Flushing and claim her first-ever grand slam.
Ana Ivanovic
2014 has been something of a career renaissance for Ana Ivanovic. The 26-year old Serb is back up to No. 9 in the WTA rankings, her highest position since ending the year at No. 5 back in 2008.
A large part of Ivanovic’s success this season has come on the hardcourt. Two of her three tournament wins this year – at the Aukland Open and the Monterrey Open – have come on that surface. She’s currently +3,000 to add a third title at Flushing Meadows.
Ivanovic should be in relatively good form leading up to the U.S. Open. Ivanovic defeated Maria Sharapova to reach the final of the Cincinnati Masters, but lost out to eventual champion and World No. 1 Serena Williams.
Writer’s Prediction
Azarenka is unable to shake off the rust in her game to make a third straight run at the final. Ivanovic bows out at around the quarterfinal stage, while Radwanska makes it furthest among the three with a semifinal berth. Create a betting account now and enjoy the final grand slam tennis action of the year.
