Serena Williams Biggest Grand Slam Underdog in 15 Years for Wednesday’s US Open
Serena Williams of the United States in action against Danka Kovinic of Montenegro on Arthur Ash Stadium in the Women’s Singles round one match during the US Open Tennis Championship 2022 at the USTA National Tennis Centre on August 29th 2022 in Flushing, Queens, New York City. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)
Monday night in Queens, New York brought the glitz, the glamour and the pageantry. It also brought Serena Williams as a -350 favorite against the 80th-ranked player in the world, Danka Kovinic.
Wednesday night in the second round of the US Open brings a little bit of a different challenge for Serena's potential swan song, however.
Williams faces Anett Kontaveit, a 2-seed in the bracket, but also technically the world's No. 2 player, who has really struggled as of late, losing three of her last five matches overall.
As of now, Serena Williams is listed as a +200 underdog against Kontaveit tonight – her longest price as an underdog in any Grand Slam match since the Wimbledon quarterfinals against Justine Henin all the way back in 2007.
Not only is Serena a big underdog in a Grand Slam, but she's also a big 'dog in just the second round.
Tonight will be only the second time over the last 15 years she hasn't been favored in the second round or earlier at a Slam. The last time? The 2018 French Open against Ash Barty, which she won.
When looking at how the betting markets are reacting to Serena's line, Williams accounts for both the highest ticket percentage and the biggest handle at BetMGM.
The 23-time Slam champion has amassed 26.2% of the tickets and 26.6% of the handle, with her price dipping down from a pre-Round 1 number of +4000 to +2800 after a win on Monday.
Tonight, Serena is drawing 81% of the wagers, but just 58% of the handle at BetMGM against Kontaveit.
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