The 2020 WTA US Open Betting Preview, Odds and Predictions

Heading into the Women’s US Open, there has been plenty of talk about six of the world’s Top 10 stars choosing not to compete in the Grand Slam beginning on Monday, August 31^st. These absences include the world’s Top 2 ranked players in Ashleigh Barty and Simona Halep.

Where on the men’s side, the absence of top ranked stars Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer hurts the overall quality of the tournament, the women’s side is still going to be very entertaining with the number of quality players still participating like Serena Williams, Karolina Pliskova and Naomi Osaka. .

With that said, tennis betting sites have had a hard time deciding on who to favor for the 2020 WTA US Open. Let’s take a closer look at the current tennis betting odds and prop bets, identify any value, and spike the lob at the net with these predictions.

PSA: The draw is here. pic.twitter.com/ZGQ27qzv6S

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 28, 2020

WTA US Open Betting Odds

The following betting odds are courtesy of BetOnline:

• Naomi Osaka (+500)
• Serena Williams (+500)
• Karolina Pliskova (+1000)
• Garbine Muguruza (+1600)
• Sofia Kenin (+1600)
• Aryna Sabalenka (+1800 )
• Johanna Konta (+1800)
• Elise Mertens (+2000)
• Jennifer Brady (+2000)
• Madison Keys (+2000)
• Petra Kvitova (+2000)
• Anett Kontaveit(+2200)
• Victoria Azarenka (+2500)
• Cori Gauff (+2800)
• Elena Rybakina (+2800)
• Amanda Anisimova (+3300)
• Dayana Yastremska (+3300)
• Angelique Kerber (+4000)
• Karolina Muchova (+4000)
• Maria Sakkari (+4000)
• Marketa Vondrousova (+4000)
• Iga Swiatek (+5000)
• Ons Jabeur (+5000)
• Petra Martic (+5000)
• Ekaterina Alexandrova (+6600)
• Yulia Putintseva (+6600)
• Anastasija Sevastova (+8000)
• Jessica Pegula (+8000)
• Sloane Stephens (+8000 )

1^st Quarter Betting Preview and Winner

The 1^st Quarter features the top seed in the tournament in Karolina Pliskova, but she will have a tough road to win this Quarter as Jennifer Brady and Angelique Kerber are two players that could derail Pliskova’s hopes of winning her first Grand Slam.

#3 Karolina Pliskova

• US Open Odds (+1000)
• Quarter Odds (+250)

Pliskova is the highest ranked player in the US Open, but has had an up and down season so far. She started off the year with a win at Brisbane, but then was bounced in the Round of 32 for the Australian Open, lost in the Quarterfinal of Dubai, and lost in the Round of 16 in Qatar.

Pliskova has never won a Grand Slam before, but has made it to the Finals of one in her career, which came in the 2016 US Open. She followed that up with two straight Quarterfinal showings in 2017 and 2018, before losing in the 4^th round of last year’s US Open.

I have serious reservations about Pliskova in this Quarter. I believe there’s value with other players that could end up defeating Pliskova in New York.

#40 Jennifer Brady

• US Open Odds (+2000)
• Quarter Odds (+450)

The 25 year old American has had a decent overall season so far. She made it to the Quarterfinals in Brisbane, the Semifinals in Dubai, and she won in Lexington two weeks ago.

Brady has performed well overall on hard courts and is flying under the radar with fans and sportsbooks for the overall Grand Slam win. However, she is the second odds on favorite to win this Quarter behind Pliskova.

Brady has never made it past the 4^th round in the US Open and was bounced in the 1^st round last year. Her 3-3 overall record at Flushing Meadows is a bit concerning. Nevertheless, she will be a tough out for anyone she faces.

#23 Angelique Kerber (+850)

• US Open Odds (+4000)
• Quarter Odds (+850)

It’s been two years since Kerber won the 2018 Wimbledon, but the three time Grand Slam winner also took home the titles in the 2016 Australian Open and the 2016 US Open.

Kerber has fallen from grace since then, but is still a true competitor and someone to keep an eye out for in this year’s US Open. With the season being shortened, and many top ranked players not playing, this could be the year that Kerber wins another Grand Slam.

Other than a 3^rd round match against Alison Riske, Kerber cruise to the 4^th round where she could see Pliskova. Kerber is 25-11 all-time in the US Open and has battled a few injuries in 2020. However, all reports indicate she’s healthy and ready to compete.

Who Wins the 1^st Quarter?

Pliskova has a tough draw and I just don’t see her making it past Brady, Kerber and possibly Vondrousova or Martic in the Quarterfinals.

Call me crazy, but I think the experience of Kerber can go a long way in this unprecedented year of tennis. I’m taking Kerber to upend the other higher ranked opponents and win this Quarter.

2^nd Quarter Betting Preview and Winner

The 2^nd Quarter has Naomi Osaka looming over the rest of the field. However, there could be some interesting matchups down the road that include Petra Kvitova and Coco Gauff.

#10 Naomi Osaka

• US Open Odds (+500)
• Quarter Odds (+180)

Osaka is not only the co-favorite, along with Serena Williams, to win the US Open, but she’s a large tennis betting favorite to win this Quarter.

Osaka hasn’t had the best of seasons in 2020, but then again nobody really has. The starting and stopping has really hindered most of the top players from getting into a groove. Fortunately for Osaka, she appears to be rounding into form with a strong run at the ongoing Western and Southern Open.

😷 game 💪 pic.twitter.com/vkLrOjM5Gn

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 26, 2020

Osaka is the 2018 US Open champion and has an overall record of 14-3 in this Grand Slam. However, she was eliminated in the 4^th round of last year’s tournament.

With that said, Osaka could face Coco Gauff in the 3^rd round, which would be the biggest challenge other than a potential Quarterfinals matchup against Kvitova. Yet, it’s clear that Naomi is the player to beat in this Quarter.

#12 Petra Kvitova

• US Open Odds (+2000)
• Quarter Odds (+450)

Kvitova has a decent draw all the way to the 4^th round where she could face her first ranked opponent. Yet, I like her chances of heading to the Quarterfinals as there’s not much in her way.

Kvitova is a two time Grand Slam winner with both wins coming at Wimbledon. After a downturn in her career, Petra saw a resurgence in 2019 where she went to the Finals of the Australian Open. She was able to get to the Quarterfinals of this year’s Aussie Grand Slam as well.

For her career, Kvitova is 26-12 in the US Open, but has never made it past the Quarterfinals. If ever was the time and opportunity for her to do so, it would be this year.

#50 Coco Gauff

• US Open Odds (+2800)
• Quarter Odds (+900)

The 16 year old American is a budding star with a bright future. She burst onto the scene last year at Wimbledon and has kept her stock high with a 4^th round exit at the Australian Open.

Last year, she was eliminated in the 3^rd round of the US Open, but could get past that mark if she can upset Pliskova.

Coco will certainly be one of the sentimental favorites at this year’s US Open.

Who Will Win the 2^nd Quarter?

In reality, as long as Osaka is playing to her full potential, there’s nobody in this Quarter that will beat her. She’s better than the rest of the field in this part of the women’s Draw and she should be able to cruise to a Semifinals matchup against Angelique Kerber.

3^rd Quarter Betting Preview and Winner

We could dub this Quarter as the “American Quarter” with Serena Williams, Madison Keyes and Sloane Stephens. Yet, it’s all about whether or not Serena can clean out the Quarter and make a run towards the Finals.

#9 Serena Williams

• US Open Odds (+500)
• Quarter Odds (+165)

Serena Williams was elevated all the way up to the 3^rd seed in the US Open due to the withdrawals of the other top ranked women. That helps her not have to face some of the top hitters still in the tournament.

Serena is looking for her 24^th Grand Slam title and has been chasing it for three years now. Like many others, Williams has not looked great in 2020. But, she’s arguably the GOAT for women’s tennis and you can never count her out.

Road to the @usopen 🏆

Many potential all-🇺🇸 match-ups along the way for Serena! pic.twitter.com/V9xmoubjMU

— USTA (@usta) August 28, 2020

For her career, Serena is 101-13 at the US Open in 19 appearances, which has resulted in 10 Finals appearances and 6 wins. She’s made it to the Finals for two years straight and six out of the last nine years.

Williams could face Sloane Stephens in the 3^rd round and Sakkari in the 4^th round before making it to the Quarterfinals where she could face Garbine Muguruza ore Madison Keys. She definitely has a tougher path to the Semifinals than the higher ranked seeds in the Top Half of the Draw.

#16 Garbine Muguruza

• US Open Odds (+1600)
• Quarter Odds (+450)

Muguruza is probably one of the only ranked players who has had a solid 2020 season so far. She’s yet to lose before the Quarterfinals of any tournament this year and even made it to the Semifinals of the Shenzhen Open and the Finals of the Australian Open.

Muguruza is a two time Grand Slam winner having won the 2016 French Open and the 2017 Wimbledon. She beat Serena for the French Open title, but lost to Williams in the 2015 Wimbledon Finals.

Last year, Muguruza was bounced from the 1^st round of the US Open. This year, I think she has a chance to go far. There’s nothing standing in her way until a 4^th round matchup with Madison Keys.

#13 Madison Keys

• US Open Odds (+2000)
• Quarter Odds (+500)

Speaking of Keys, the 13^th ranked American lost in the Finals of Brisbane to Pliskova and was bounced in the Round of 32 for the Australian Open this year.

She’s never won a Grand Slam in her career, but has had some success at the US Open in the past. Keys was a Finalist in 2017 and made the Semifinals in 2018. Last year, she was bounced in the 4^th round, but still has an overall record of 22-8 at Flushing Meadows.

This year, she will have a straight shot to the 4^th round where she faces Muguruza in a big time clash. Keys is 4-1 against Garbine all-time.

#37 Sloane Stephens

• US Open Odds (+8000)
• Quarter Odds (+1800)

Since 2018, Stephens hasn’t really been a factor in any Grand Slam. She burst her way onto the scene in 2017 when she won the US Open. The next year she went to the Finals in the French Open and the Quarterfinals of the US Open.

Unfortunately, she was bounced in the 1^st round of the 2019 US Open and the 1^st round of this year’s Australian Open.

As a former winner of this Grand Slam, Stephens is worth keep an eye on. She could face Serena Williams in the third round, which will probably be the end of her tournament. Yet, if she could pull off the upset then Sloane is on her way to another Quarterfinals appearance.

Who Will Win the 3^rd Quarter?

Most of the attention is on Serena Williams and rightfully so. But, she appears not to be on top of her game and I have a hard time seeing her get out of this quarter.

If Muguruza can get past Keys then I believe she will upset Serena Williams. They both have three wins apiece in head to head matchups, but it’s been Garbine who’s won two straight meetings.

I’m going with Muguruza and her steady play this season to come out of this tough Quarter and make it to the Semifinals.

4^th Quarter Betting Preview and Winner

The reigning Australian Open champ Sofia Kenin has a tough Draw in the 4^th Quarter with several potential upsets along the way. Will she be able to escape this Quarter?

#4 Sofia Kenin

• US Open Odds (+1600)
• Quarter Odds (+375)

Kenin will look to capture her second Grand Slam of the year as she has a decent draw all the way to the 4^th round where she could face someone like Elise Mertens or a surprise run from former world’s #1 ranked and six time Grand Slam winner Kim Clijsters.

Time to get ready for @usopen 💪🏼 pic.twitter.com/kP3kLSo253

— Sofia Kenin (@SofiaKenin) August 27, 2020

In addition to winning the Australian Open this year, which was her first career Grand Slam title, Kenin also won at Lyon, France, in March. That gives her two tournament titles this year which leads the WTA.

This year’s US Open marks Kenin’s 6^th appearance. Last year, Sofia made it to the 3^rd round for a second straight time, but lost.

Kenin’s path isn’t as easy as someone like Osaka, but she does have clear sailing until the 4^th round. Kenin is 6-5 all-time at Flushing Meadows.

#11 Aryna Sabalenka

• US Open Odds (+1800)

• Quarter Odds (+500)

Sabalenka is the 5^th seed for this Grand Slam and on the cusp of cracking the Top 10 in the WTA world rankings. Her best performance in 2020 so far has been a win at Qatar where she defeated Kvitova in the Finals.

As for her US Open experience, this will be her third appearance. She was eliminated in the 2^nd round last year and the 4^th round in 2018.

If Sabalenka can get past Victoria Azarenka in the 2^nd round, she could make a run to the 4^th round where Johanna Konta awaits.

#15 Johanna Konta

• US Open Odds (+1800)
• Quarter Odds (+500)

Konta has never won a Grand Slam before, but she seemed to take a big step forward on the court last year with three straight deep runs in Grand Slam play.

In 2019, Konta made it to the Semifinals of the French Open, the Quarterfinals of Wimbledon and the Quarterfinals of the US Open.

For her career, Konta is 11-7 at the US Open with her Quarterfinal performance last year as the furthest she’s gone in this Grand Slam.

Who Wins the 4^th Quarter?

Of all the quarters, I feel that this one is the toughest to pick. There are several contenders in this Quarter with a legitimate claim to winning it.

With that said, I am going with Aryna Sabalenka to pull out the victory in this Quarter. She’ll most likely face Johanna Konta in the 4^th round and she’s currently 1-0 against her.

In the Quarterfinals, I can see a matchup between Sabalenka and Kenin if Sofia can get past some hurdles along the way. Sabalenka is 2-0 against Kenin in their careers.

The 2020 WTA US Open Semifinal Matchups

My predicted WTA Semifinals is as follows:

Top Half Semifinal: Angelique Kerber vs Naomi Osaka

Kerber is 4-1 against Osaka all-time. However, they haven’t played against each other in two years. Osaka has evolved and Kerber is looking to get back to her top form.

I think this matchup will provide Osaka with much needed motivation in the form of revenge. I expect a spirited contest, but I am going with Osaka to come out of the Top Half of the Draw and make her second trip to the US Open Finals in three years.

Bottom Half Semifinal: Garbine Muguruza vs Aryna Sabalenka

These two women have only played against each other one time and it was Sabalaneka who came away with the victory at Beijing in 2018.

We haven’t seen Muguruza compete since the season resumed, but Sabalenka looked good at Cincinnati where a mental lapse cost her a spot in the Quarterfinals. I think either one of these two ladies provides excellent betting value, but we have to pick just one.

Right now, I think Sabalenka has shown more following the hiatus and I believe she can get past Muguruza in the Semifinals of the Bottom Half.

Who Wins the 2020 WTA US Open?

My predicted US Open Finals matchup is Aryna Sabalenk vs Naomi Osaka. And, if you have watched what’s happened in Cincinnati at the Western & Southern Open then you see a red hot Naomi Osaka who’s smashed her way into the Finals as of this publication.

Statement made.

Quite the 48 hours from @naomiosaka ✊🏿 pic.twitter.com/0hPzDWLNWC

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 28, 2020

Ironically, these two women played against each other in the Round of 16 for the 2018 US Open and Osaka won that battle in three sets. That was the only time they’ve played against each other.

With that said, I am taking Osaka to claim her second US Open title as she appears to be coming into great form where other top contenders are still questionable at best.