And then there were eight.
What started as 128 in the women’s field has dwindled to an ocho, with just one American hopeful left in the mix.
Jessica Pegula is the last lady standing for the US and also the highest-ranked seed of the remaining players.
Bet on the winner, finalists, and more at top tennis betting sites. Here’s a look at the current Australian Open odds.
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2023 Women’s Australian Open winner
The top two tournament seeds have been bounced, leaving Jessica Pegula (3) as the highest-ranked woman remaining.
World No. 1 Iga Swiatek had been flawless through three rounds before the wheels came off, and Russia’s Rybakina sent the Pole packing in Round 4.
Second seed Ons Jabeur came in with high expectations, but the Tunisian was ousted before the dawn of Day 5.
Now eight remain and will compete for a spot in this semis later this week. The competition will be fierce, as three of the players already own at least one Grand Slam title.
Elena Rybakina won Wimbledon last year, while Jelena Ostapenko took the French in 2017.
The 33-year-old elder stateswoman of the group, Victoria Azarenka, has two Australian Open titles in her trophy case, winning back-to-back in 2012-13.
To reach the finals
There’s hardly a bad bet when it comes to picking a finalist in the women’s field. The eight contenders have been to a combined nine Grand Slam finals.
Jessica Pegula is one of the players who has not reached a final but has five quarterfinals appearances. She’ll take on Victoria Azarenka, who has been to five finals in her career.
No. 5 Aryna Sabalenka has made three trips to the semis (2 US Open, Wimbledon) but has come up short each time. The Belarusian will lock horns with Croatia’s Donna Vekic in the quarters.
The final two matches feature Grand Slam winners Jelena Ostapenko and Elena Rybakina battling it out, while two-time GS finalist Karolina Pliskova faces Magda Linette.
Name the finalists
Pegula and Sabalenka are the favorites (+320) to hook up in the final, but there’s plenty of value in other combinations.
Victoria Azarenka is getting little sportsbook respect as a five-time Grand Slam finalist and two-time winner. The former world No. 1’s odds range from +1200 to +4800 to match up with someone in the final.
