Tennis Odds: Serena Tops US Open Futures
Tennis Odds: Serena Towers Over US Open Field
Serena Williams has done it all in women's tennis, except for one thing: complete the singles Grand Slam. At press time, the World's undisputed No. 1 player is the even-money favorite to win this year's US Open, starting August 31 at Flushing Meadows. A victory here will give Williams all four major tournaments in 2015, putting her on the Mount Rushmore of tennis alongside Maureen Connolly (1953), Margaret Court (1970) and Steffi Graf (1988).
Although Williams has a sparkling 43-2 record this year, she's coming off a loss to No. 12-ranked Belinda Bencic in Toronto. Williams won the first set before losing focus in the second and committing eight double-faults; she rallied briefly in the third set before Bencic prevailed 3-6, 7-5, 6-4. While the loss was disheartening, there doesn't seem to be much concern over Williams' right elbow, which caused her to skip the Swedish Open last month.
Trailing Williams on the 2015 US Open odds list are Victoria Azarenka (+600) and Maria Sharapova (+800). Azarenka is having a rough year at No. 21 on the WTA rankings and has yet to win at Flushing Meadows. Meanwhile, No. 2 Sharapova earned her lone US Open victory back in 2006.
