The interesting thing about the women's betting favorites for the 2017 US Open is that there isn't one in the top six that has actually won the tournament before. Maria Sharapova, Venus Williams, Angelique Kerber, and Svetlana Kuznetsova are the past champions that will be in the draw. However, each of these players is at least a peripheral favorite. That suggests that there is a likelihood that the 2017 Us Open will produce a first-time champion at Flushing Meadows this season.
Betting odds for top-eight favorites
The top favorite to win the 2017 US Open is Garbine Muguruza.
Certainly, results that sway opinion in her favor are ones that she earned recently. Not only did she win Cincinnati on the hard-court surface, but she also won Wimbledon early in the summer. That's going to win you the confidence of the sportsbooks' oddsmakers and the betting public alike. Here's a glimpse at Muguruza's odds, along with those of the other top-eight favorites.
- Garbine Muguruza +500 (Stan James)
- Karolina Pliskova +600 (Stan James)
- Simona Halep +900 (bet365)
- Elina Svitolina +1000 (bet365)
- Johanna Konta +1100 (Ladbrokes)
- Madison Keys +1400 (Stan James)
- Maria Sharapova +1800 (888Sport)
- Venus Williams +2000 (888Sport)
Depending on which sportsbook you consult many other players could be listed as top-eight favorites including Caroline Wozniacki, Petra Kvitova, Jelena Ostapenko, Angelique Kerber, and more.
In this case, the top-eight favorites above are the ones organized by oddschecker.com.
Not only are there no past champions in the top-six favorites, but in fact, those favorites account for only two Grand Slam titles in their careers (both going to Muguruza). Additionally, none of Konta, Svitolina, nor Keys has even been to major final yet.
In the case of Svitolina, the semifinals of Grand Slams have been elusive so far. She likely makes the top favorites following her title at the Rogers Cup and following a very successful year to date in tournaments outside of the Grand Slams.
Sharapova won in 2006
When you go down the list to find a past champion in the betting favorites you find Sharapova before looking further.
However, her title was ages ago as it came way back in 2006. With Venus Williams, her two trophies from Flushing Meadows could almost be museum artifacts as she last won in 2001. Kerber's title is recent as the German is the defending champion. However, her season to date has been so terrible that's it's hard to think of her as a serious threat in New York this season. Meanwhile, Kuznetsova's title from New York came ages ago as well as she beat Elena Dementieva in the 2004 final.
That there is a strong likelihood that a first-time champion from the US Open will emerge this season is clear. To add some drama a number of the players above are also in the mix for the World No. 1 ranking as well.
Certainly, the wide-open field at Flushing Meadows reflects the absence of Serena Williams. Winning the Aussie not even one-month pregnant was one thing, but her due date is nearing now. Which player will rise up and take the title down will remain to be seen with the draw to be released on Friday.
