Are we seeing the beginning of the end of Serena Williams, who has looked vulnerable on the court this year? Williams is seeking her fourth French Open title, and her mission begins this Monday against Vitalia Diatchenko. Williams is +650 to win the 2019 French Open women’s singles. See all available odds for the 2019 French Open women’s side here.
Diatchenko is limping her way into the French Open. The Russian has lost two losses in her last three WTA matches, including a 4-6, 7-6 (7-4), 2-6 setback at the hands of Veronika Kudermetova in Nuremberg. Diatchenko struggled big time with her service game against Kudermetova, as she recorded 13 double faults. She also got broken eight times, while also having a hard time dealing with her opponent’s attack. Diatchenko has had more success lately in the ITF circuit, having won the women’s singles tournament at the ITF World Tour in Istanbul back in April. Prior to that, she topped the ITF World Tour events in the United Kingdom and in France. Diatchenko has a 2-3 record at Roland Garros, losing in the first round of the 2018 French Open and making the second round in 2009 and 2015 – her only other appearances at the said Grand Slam event.
Betting on the Serena Williams (-700)
No matter how this tournament turns out for Williams, her legacy will be intact, which bettors with money on her are hoping will be the case with her knee. Williams has barely played this season due to a knee issue, which forced her to withdraw from the three tournaments she entered her name into since the Australian Open. If anything, Williams hasn’t lost in the first round of a Grand Slam match in seven years. The key really for Williams is whether her knee will keep it together. So long as she’s healthy, she should be able to take care of business against Diatchenko, whom she had beaten once before. Williams defeated Diatchenko back in the first round of the 2015 US Open, with the American putting 78 percent of her first serves in and breaking her opponent four times.
