*Find the complete list of the 2016 US Open Women’s Singles tennis betting linesHERE!
Serena Williams vs. Johanna Larsson
Serena Williams’ quest for a record seventh US Open title remains right on track after beating Vania King, 6-3, 6-3, in the second round on Thursday. It was an excellent performance from the 22-time Grand Slam champion who needed just 65 minutes to record the straight-sets win. She’s now tied with the legendary Martina Navratilova for most match wins by a female player at major tournaments.
Williams will look to keep the momentum going when she locks horns with Johanna Larsson in the last 32. The Swedish star breezed past Denisa Allertová in the second round, 6-3, 6-1. Larsson has been playing some excellent tennis in this tournament, dropping just 10 games in her opening two matches. Larsson, however, will need to step up her play even further against the world no. 1. Larsson is 0-2 in her career against Williams.
Writer’s Prediction: Williams preserves her unbeaten record against Larsson with a comprehensive straight-sets win.
Angelique Kerber barged into the third round of the US Open with a thrilling 6-2, 7-6 (7) victory over Mirjana Lučić-Baroni on Wednesday. It was a stunning performance from the German who needed one hour and 32 minutes to produce the straight-sets victory. Key to Kerber’s triumph was her excellent return. She converted five of her nine break point opportunities in the match against Lucic-Baroni.
Next up for Kerber is a round-of-32 showdown with CiCi Bellis. The 158th-ranked American recorded one of the upsets of the tournament thus far in the second round, beating 49th-ranked American and French Open quarterfinalist Shelby Rogers, 2-6, 6-2, 6-2. It was a historic victory for the 17-year-old qualifier who is through to the third round of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time in her career.
Writer’s Prediction: Kerber (-1,400) overpowers Bellis in straight sets.
Petra Kvitova booked a spot in the third round of the US Open with a gritty 7-6 (2), 6-3 victory over Turkey’s Cagla Buyukakcay on Wednesday. It was a battling performance from Kvitova who overcame 30 unforced errors. Fortunately for the Czech star, her serve was working big time against Buyukakcay. She converted 64 percent of her first serves against Buyukakcay with Kvitova winning 73 percent (27/37) of those points. She also found some success in her forays to the net, winning 13 of her 17 points there.
Next up for Kvitova is a round-of-32 clash with Elina Svitolina. The two-time Wimbledon champion has won three of her last four meetings with Svitolina. Kvitova destroyed Svitolina, 6-2, 6-0, in their last meeting at the Olympics last month. Svitolina is coming off a thrilling 6-1, 4-6, 6-3 win over Lauren Davis in the second round on Wednesday. She is looking to reach the round of 16 at Flushing Meadows for the first time in her career.
Writer’s Prediction: Kvitova (-260) edges past Svitolina in three tough sets.
Complete Listing of 2016 US Open Women’s Singles Third Round Matchups
Matchup
Pick
Caroline Wozniacki (-260) vs. Monica Niculescu (-200)
Wozniacki
Dominika Cibulkova (-340) vs. Lesia Tsurenko (+260)
Cibulkova
Petra Kvitova (-260) vs. Elina Svitolina (+200)
Kvitova
Johanna Konta (-170) vs. Belinda Bencic (+140)
Bencic
Roberta Vinci (-250) vs. Carina Witthoeft (+190)
Witthoeft
Madison Keys (-800) vs. Naomi Osaka (+500)
Keys
Kateryna Bondarenko (-135) vs. Anastasija Sevastova (+105)
