US Open Tennis Preview – Thursday, September 5th at 4.00 pm
Serena Williams has blasted her way to the semi finals of the US Open and she has taken full advantage of what has been, quite frankly, an easy draw. Now comes the most difficult opponent which she has faced at the tournament, Elina Svitolina. Svitolina is in her second Grand Slam semi after seeing off Jo Konta. Can she upset the odds?
Elina Svitolina v Serena Williams Winner Odds*
Serena Williams 4/11
Elina Svitolina 9/4
* (betting odds taken from bet365 on September 4th, 2019 at 11:29 pm)
Can Svitolina defeat Williams at Flushing Meadows
It hasn’t been the easiest of draws that Elina Sviotlina has gone through. The Ukraine star met Venus Williams the second round for example and then tenth seed Madison Keys in the fourth round. Despite that, Svitolina didn’t drop a set on her way to the quarter-finals where she met Britain’s Johanna Konta. Svitolina didn’t drop one in the quarters either as she took a 6-4 6-4 win. She was really on her game in that quarter-finals, consistently grinding down and picking apart Konta’s game.
Svitolina works so hard behind the baseline in defence which is a huge asset. She will know that she has to move Williams around the court, work her laterally because is where the Williams’ weakness is. A Grand Slam title doesn’t look to be too far away for Svitolina. She’s reached the Australian Open quarter-finals in the semi-final of Wimbledon this year, now is in the final four at the US Open. Can she make her first Slam Final?
Head to head
The head to head is 4-1 in favour of Williams. It’s been a while since the two of them met though. Svitolina secured her first-ever win over Williams in their most recent meeting which was at the Rio 2016 Olympics. This will be the third Grand Slam meeting, Williams winning at the 2015 Australian Open and the 2016 French Open over the Ukrainian.
Will Serena Williams march on to the Final?
Injury concerns were hanging over Williams heading into the US Open. However, she has just been at her brilliant, powerful best at times. Like her 6-1 6-1 win over Maria Sharapova in the first round. Like her 6-1 6-0 demolition job over Qiang Wang in the quarter-finals (yes, the quarter-finals) which took less than three-quarters of an hour to complete.
Williams has dropped just the one set on her way to the final four, that was in her second-round match against fellow American Catherine McNally. Williams is aiming for her seventh US Open title after having had that blowout against Naomi Osaka in last season’s showcase match at Flushing Meadows. Surprisingly Williams has not won a Slam since the 2017 Australian Open though, but she has prevailed in each of her three Slam semi-finals reached since then.
Predictions
What a tough match to call here. Svitolina was brilliant tactically in her quarter final matchup against Johanna Konta. Can she reproduce the same against Williams? Svitolina at least has to be good enough to get a set-off of Williams, but the power that the American has thrown down still gets the nod from us. Either way, we will suggest the 13/8 odds on three sets* (betting odds taken from bet365 on September 4th, 2019 at 11:29 pm).
