We lost some big names in the 3rd Round with Andreeva, Paolini, Navarro, Azarenka, Raducanu and Mertens among other all getting knocked out. The biggest story was Taylor Townsend’s win over Mirra Andreeva and the American faces another major test taking on two-time major champion Barbora Krejcikova. Last year’s finalists Sabalenka and Pegula are also in action today.
The top seed is yet to drop a set but she has been tested in all three matches played. One of the sets in each of her matches has produced 12 or more total games and it has resulted in the Over hitting in all her matches played (3-0). She was able to generate just the one break of serve in her win over Fernandez which is a sign that she is not dominating from the baseline in a matter that we are accustomed to seeing. This is a career-best result for Bucsa at a major but is playing well enough to push the world number one.
Bet: Over 18.5 games ($2.00)
This is the second time this year that they meet at a major with Pegula coming away with a 6-3 7-6 win at the French Open. Both players won more than 50% of 2nd serve points in that match and 4 breaks of serve between them on clay is a low amount. Li also won more than half of her second serve points when she came from a set down to beat Pegula on hard court in Lexington some years ago. Ann Li has won 54% of 2nd serve points for the tournament with Rybakina the only player left in the draw to have won a higher percentage. Back her with confidence to win a set and have something on her for the upset win.
Bet: Ann Li To Win A Set – YES ($2.00)
Value: Ann Li WIN ($3.50)
This is the biggest match of the day in the women’s draw. Both women are major champions and have similar game styles that are centred around a big serve followed by a thunderous forehand. They are two of the biggest hitters on the WTA Tour and that will place their respective second serve under huge pressure. Rybakina has been fantastic in that department throughout the tournament and did not face a single break point in a crushing 6-2 6-1 win over Raducanu. Vondrousova has come up trumps in the big moment winning each of the three tiebreakers that she has played – one in each match. The breaks of serve will be few and far between and I can see at least one of their sets going to a breaker. Like Rybakina to get through but are taking her to individually win more than 12.5 games.
Bet: Rybakina Over 12.5 games ($1.85)
Value: Set 1 Tiebreak – YES ($5.25)
It has been a wild week for Taylor Townsend. First made headlines for a verbal altercation following her second round win over Ostapenko but it was her tennis that did the talking in a straight sets win of Mirra Andreeva. That was under the lights on Arthur Ashe Stadium and she will get the same conditions for her battle with Krejcikova. She has also been impressive having defeated Mboko and Navarro to make it through but I do have concerns about her second serve. She had 9 double faults against Navarro and will be up against 20,000+ screaming fans who will make it extremely difficult for her in the big moments. I believe this will lead to a passive brand of tennis and will provide Townsend with the platform to succeed. Taking the outsider to win.
Bet: Townsend WIN ($2.05)