Everything’s set for a spectacular end to tennis’ grand slam season when the U.S. Open gets underway at Flushing Meadows. We’ve already covered the exciting Men’s Singles with our complete event preview, but the women will also give their fair share of thrills.
Serena Williams dominated the competition at the U.S. Open Series on her way to another potential grand slam trophy. Meanwhile, gutsy contenders Maria Sharapova, Eugenie Bouchard and Caroline Wozniacki are enjoying successful runs as well. With everyone at the top of their games, it’s going to be an electrifying affair. Read on for our take on how the U.S. Open Women’s Singles unfolds.
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U.S. Open Women’s Singles Predictions and Betting Preview
Where: USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, Flushing, New York
Favorites – Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova and Eugenie Bouchard
Serena Williams has been excellent on the hard court this season with five WTA titles all coming from events played on that surface. However, she has now missed three-straight grand slam quarterfinals in 2014 after a disastrous third round exit at Wimbledon (her earliest since 2005). Nevertheless, Williams has found her form in the U.S. Open Series topped by winning the Cincinnati Masters for the first time in her career on August 17.
At +150, the world No. 1 is a hot favorite to defend her U.S. Open crown.
[sc:Other240banner ]Once a dominant force on the hard court with her powerful first and second serves, Maria Sharapova (+600) has been significantly hampered by a recurring shoulder injury since 2007. Despite a decline in her performance, Sharapova still uses her serve with devastating effect.
Currently, Sharapova is at her best playing on grass and clay. She has also shown flashes of brilliance when playing at hard court events this year. She recently reached the semifinal round in the Western & Southern Open, but lost 2-6,7-5, 5-7 in a three-set, semifinal thriller against Ana Ivanovic. Sharapova was on the verge of winning the game with match points in two instances, but was thrown off her game as an injury timeout for Ivanovic was called. Sharapova wasn’t the same after, and eventually lost the game, partly because she lost her momentum.
Canadian hot-shot, Eugenie Bouchard (+700) is one of the most promising young stars in the tennis world today. Bouchard made a third straight grand slam semifinal appearance at the Australian Open at the start of the year and won her first WTA title at Nurnberg before playing in her first grand slam final at Wimbledon.
Bouchard was ranked 144th at the beginning of 2013, but took long strides to reach her current No. 8 ranking in the world. She has a great chance for a defining moment in her young career at the U.S. Open with five wins over top 10 players this year. She has already defeated Ana Ivanovic, Jelena Jankovic, Simona Halep, and Angelique Kerber.
High-Value Picks – Petra Kvitova and Caroline Wozniacki
Petra Kvitova (+1,000) is entering the U.S. Open on the heels of winning her second career-Wimbledon title. Kvitova has the ability to execute well-timed shots that allow her to keep opponents off-balance. However, she lacks the agility needed to chase after shots on the fast bounce of the hard court. Her worst performance this season was a loss to then 87th-ranked Luksika Kumkhum in the first round of the Australian Open. Kvitova will win more grand slams, but they won’t be on the hard court of the U.S. Open.
Like her former fiancée, golf sensation Rory McIlroy, Caroline Wozniacki (+2,500) had a forgetful 2013 season. Yet, the former world No. 1 has found her form in the lead up to the U.S. Open. Wozniacki won her first title of the season at the Istanbul Cup, and followed up that win with a quarterfinal appearance at the Rogers Cup. However, she ultimately bowed down to Serena Williams despite being up a set with a break point.
Wozniacki still has a long way to go before she can go back to her top form, but her recent form shows she’s well on her way to playing at her best.
Long Shot – Lucie Safarova
Wimbledon’s Cinderella Story, Lucie Safarova, has steadily improved on her grand slam results this year. She started with a third round exit at the Australian Open and climbed all the way up to an unexpected semifinal appearance at Wimbledon.
An agile player capable of excelling at long rallies, Safarova has a notable three-set victory against one of the all-time greatest women’s singles players in Venus Williams (never an easy feat) in the first round of the Western & Southern Open on August 12. With upsets occurring throughout the year, Safarova is well worth a look at +10,000 to win her first ever grand slam.
Writer’s Prediction
Serena Williams (+150) will be highly motivated to win her first grand slam of the season. With her recent form, Williams goes on a dominant run to lift her sixth U.S. Open trophy.
