the last grand slam of the 2016 tennis season is here and we’re taking a look at the women’s event. we’ve got some cracking betting tips as we take a look at the top contenders for glory in new york. as well as live odds comparison for all the players at the us open women, and their individual matches, we’ve got analysis and predictions too to help you cash in.
the tennis gets underway on the 29th august, with the women’s final scheduled to take place on the 10th september. the winner of that game will take home a staggering $3.5m but don’t feel too bad for the loser as they’ll be able to look at their cheque for $1.75m for consolation.
of course, it’s not about the money, it’s about the glory of winning the us open and the bookmakers’ favourite to do that is serena williams. no real surprise there. the american is priced at best betting odds of 6/4 with unibet as she seeks to claim a 23rd grand slam title and seventh us open.
serena went out in the semis here last year, amazingly her worst grand slam result since wimbledon in 2014, some nine majors ago. it was also her joint worst performance at the us since 2007, since which time she has claimed four us open championships. that pretty much explains why she is the clear favourite and she silenced some doubters by winning wimbledon, although she didn’t go well at the olympics, losing to elina svitolina in straight sets.
the second favourite is simona halep at a distant 10/1, with angelique kerber available at the same odds with a range of bookies. kerber recently missed the chance to supplant serena at the top of the world rankings and reaction to that has been interesting. the german had the opportunity to end the american’s 183-week reign at the top of the standings but lost 6-3, 6-1 to karolina pliskova in the final at cincinnati.
given she lost the wimbledon and olympic finals there is a growing feeling that maybe she doesn’t handle the pressure as well as she needs to. that might be harsh but even so, it has to be a major question mark against her, despite her victory over serena in this year’s australian final.
there is, of course, another us contender in madison keys, who can be backed at best betting odds of 18/1 with ladbrokes here. the youngster is now at an age and time in her career where she needs to turn promise into results after being hyped up for so long. now ranked inside the world’s top 10 she offers some each way appeal having had a consistent year. she has made the fourth round or better in each of the last five slams and this could well be the year she makes her first final.
however, on balance we have to side with serena. she can make yet more history here and odds of 6/4 are certainly fair given her record and ability. on her day she is just far too good for all the young pretenders and her experience and will to win are also second to none. her early exit in rio, in both the singles and the doubles, may actually be a plus here and she will certainly be better rested than kerber. with home support and immense ease with her surroundings we predict it will be grand slam number 23 so get on before those odds drop.
if you’re looking for an alternative option then, aside from keys, we also like the look of brit johanna konta at long odds of 50/1 with sportingbet. she likes the hard surface here at flushing meadows and having made her first slam semi at the australian this year is another player who is improving and could go one better. she made the fourth round here last year and with a decent draw definitely has the potential to make the final at least.