Naomi Osaka looks to repeat as U.S. Open Champion when she heads to Flushing Meadows next week for the final major tennis tournament of the year. Tennis fans expect Osaka to meet tough competition in rival Serena Williams and Wimbledon champ Simona Halep. Check out U.S. Open Round 1 analysis and free picks for twelve of the top matchups!
2019 US Open Women’s Round 1 Odds, Preview & Picks
- When: August 26 – August 27
- Where: USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, Flushing Meadows, NY
- Surface: Hard
- TV: ESPN /ESPN2 / ESPN+
- Live Stream: ESPN+
Naomi Osaka vs Anna Blinkova
- 2019 US Open Odds: Osaka -434 / Blinkova +286
Since winning the Australian Open in January, Osaka hasn’t been herself. At least she’s not facing Sofia Kenin, who knocked her out of the Western & Southern Open, in Round 1. Anna Blinkova is a good tennis player. She’s won 3 doubles titles this year. Doubles play is different than singles play. Osaka moves on to the second round.
US Open Women’s Round 1 Pick: Naomi Osaka
Astra Sharma vs Magda Linette
- 2019 US Open Odds: Sharma +439 / Linette -185
Sharma’s got a nice 24-15 record. She’s won two doubles titles and a singles title in 2019. Magda Linette has a singles title victory as well. She’s the play in one of the more contentious Round 1 matchups.
US Open Women’s Round 1 Pick: Magda Linette
Anastasia Potapova vs Cori Gauff
- 2019 US Open Odds: Potapova +114 / Gauff -153
All eyes will be on 15-year-old Cori Gauff, who had an impressive run at Wimbledon. Anastasia Potapova is only 18-years-old, though. She won a doubles title this year. Gauff will play tough, but Anastasia should get the win.
US Open Women’s Round 1 Pick: Anastasia Potapova
Anett Kontaveit vs Sara Sorribes Tormo
- 2019 US Open Odds: Kontaveit -555 / Tormo +355
Anett Kontaveitk gave Ashleigh Barty a fight at the Western & Southern Open. She beat Barty 6-4 in the first set. That’s good enough of a reason to back her against Sorribes Tormo in this match.
US Open Women’s Round 1 Pick: Anette Kontaveit
Ajla Tomljanovic vs Mari Bouzkova
- 2019 US Open Odds: Tomljanovic +148 / Bouzkova -200
Tomljanovic has a winning 24-21 singles record this year. Bouzkova marched all the way to the Rogers Cup Semifinals, though. Serena crushed her after she won the first set. Bouzkova takes this.
US Open Women’s Round 1 Pick: Marie Bouzkova
Alize Cornet vs Jessica Pegula
- 2019 US Open Odds: Cornet -101 / Pegula -129
Cornet hasn’t played since the Palermo Ladies Open in late July. Jessica Pegula has a singles victory in 2019. Pegula has played more recently. That gives her an edge over Cornet.
US Open Women’s Round 1 Pick: Jessica Pegula
Serena Williams vs Maria Sharapova
- 2019 US Open Odds: Williams -303 / Sharapova +215
Serena really wants to take the U.S. Open after the strange goings on at the 2018 tournament. They won’t make it easy on her. Maria Sharapova can play great tennis when she’s on top of her game. She shouldn’t be, but Serena retired in her last tournament played. Let’s peg Maria to pull off the upset.
US Open Women’s Round 1 Pick: Maria Sharapova
Zarina Diyas vs Ashleigh Barty
- 2019 US Open Odds: Diyas +546 / Barty -1111
Barty, the French Open winner, doesn’t get a cakewalk in Round 1. Zarina Diyas played Sofia Kenin tough at the Western & Southern Open. She also won a singles title earlier this year. We’re not gutsy enough to call the upset. But, Zarina will make Ashleigh work next week.
US Open Women’s Round 1 Pick: Zarina Diyas
Misaki Doi vs Madison Keys
- 2019 US Open Odds: Doi +554 / Keys -1111
Madison Keyes offers +1200 odds to win the U.S. Open. She won the Western & Southern Open. So, the odds make sense. Does Misaki Doi have any shot of knocking Keyes out early? Probably not, but Keys can bounce because the W&S was her first ever title. Misaki to win.
US Open Women’s Round 1 Pick: Misaki Doi
Angelique Kerber vs Kristina Mladenovic
- 2019 US Open Odds: Kerber -434 / Mladenovic +286
Kerber hasn’t been in great form. If she were, she’d be an easy pick over Kristina Mladenovic. But, she’s not. So, Kristina has a real shot of sending Angelique home early.
US Open Women’s Round 1 Pick: Kristina Mladenovic
Elina Svitolina vs Whitney Osuigwe
- 2019 US Open Odds: Svitolina -833 / Osuigwe +470
In Round 1, underrated Elina Svitolina battles a 19-year-old American who hasn’t played since the Miami Open in late March. Elina wins this in straight sets.
U.S. Open Women’s Tennis Pick: Elina Svitolina
Saisai Zheng vs Venus Williams
- 2019 US Open Odds: Zheng +127/ Williams -172
Venus made it all the way to the quarterfinals at the Western & Southern Open. She lost to Sofia Kenin. Saisai Zheng has two singles titles and a doubles title this year. She’s the pick to beat Venus in the first round.
US Open Women’s Round 1 Pick: Saisai Zheng