WOMEN'S US OPEN 2021 (29th August)

WOMEN'S US OPEN 

OUTRIGHT WINNER - Like a lot of the grand Slams this years US Open looks quite an open contest, we have the usual favourites in Barty (Poor Olympics and potential tough opener) Osaka (Mental health issues not sure how competitive she will be) Sabalenka (Poor record in Grand Slams so far) Swiatek (Far happier on clay but could be a threat but too short a price) Pliskova big serve reached Wimbledon final but nerves got the better of her, she is desperate for a Grand Slam title but might be putting too much pressure on herself. Krejcikova, Gauff, Badosa, Bencic next in the betting but all have something to prove - The outright bets I like the look of are below:

Karolina Pliskova 16-1 She has the serve and power to be able to go far providing pressure does not get to her. 

Garbine Muguruza 25-1 Powerful stroke play, lacks variety but that does not matter on these hard courts when she could smash her way through to at least the QF if she can overcome a tough first round draw against Vekic. 

Danielle Collins 40-1 All out attack who can match any player on tour if she is on form, providing she can stay fit she with home support she could cause a bit of an upset.

Victoria Azarenka 50-1 Her issues off court have been well documented but she does have the experience and on her day is still a world class player, with so many issues surrounding the market leaders she is worth chancing at good odds. 

FIRST ROUND MATCHES

Giorgi to beat Halep @ Evens 

Giorgi hits the ball flat, hard and very attacking she can make a lot of unforced errors but if she has a day where things go right then she will be a very tough match up for Halep considering both their recent form which favours Giorgi where she won the Rogers cup.

Golubic to beat Andreescu @ 7-4 

Andreescu has been in poor form and also terrible problems with injury over the last 18months and looked very short of confidence in her recent losses at the Cincinnati open first round to Muchova in straight sets and back home at the Rogers cup she managed only one win before losing to Jabeur. Golubic is a decent price here to cause what some people would see as an upset. 

Konjuh to beat Fernandez @ 4-5 

Konjuh has come through qualifying here without losing a set also reached the SF at San Jose and providing her serve works well then she should prove too much for a player with potential but who looks a little out of form currently in Fernandez. 

Stephens to beat Keys @ Evens 

Stephens regulary ups her game in the Grand Slams and she has a 4-2 win loss record against Keys on hard courts it becomes 2-0 and her athleticism should negate some of Keys powerful groundstrokes and force Keys into playing one more shot which could result in more errors from Keys 

Ruse to beat Vondrousova @ 3-1 

Vondrousova lost the Olympic final and I suspect she may struggle for the rest of the season, Ruse has been in good form coming through qualifying and her price is far too short against an opponent who can sometimes crack during pressure moments.