The final Major of the year is upon us, as the US Open begins play. Last year’s tournament had an incredible final, which featured Aryna Sabalenka outlasting Jessica Pegula 7-5, 7-5 to win her third major. She’s followed up with two more Major finals this year, but has yet to win a fourth. I aim to cover as many of the first-round matches as I can, but we start with the most competitive when it comes to betting opportunities. Let me know if you agree with my best bets in the comments section.
WTA U.S. Open
Zakharova – Avanesyan: Time 17:00
H2H: 1-0
Anastasia Zakharova and Elina Avanesyan have both had interesting seasons. Zakharova barely sits above .500 on the year, but she has had strong performances throughout the year, including a tournament victory at the 2025 Zaragoza ITF. Avanesyan is actually below .500 on the year, but she had a semifinal at Mèrida and Hobart. Avanesyan has three wins in her last ten matches, and Zakharova is 6-4 in her last ten.
Best Bet to Make
The books have Zakharova as the favorite, and I agree with this. She’s playing better tennis both now and throughout the year. Zakharova is 9-9 on a hardcourt this year, but this is also her first semifinal at a WTA level, and she has a real shot to make it into the final. She will need to stop committing unforced errors and improve her performance at breakpoints, but she has shown herself capable of doing so. She needs to work on her consistency in applying those skillsets.
That being said, Zakharova winning is a value bet for sure.
Value bet/ the best odds: Zakharova winning @1.78 @1xBet
Putintseva – Cocciaretto: Time 17:00
H2H: 2-0
Elisabetta Cocciaretto has risen the ranks quite a bit over the last year, but one thing she was unable to do during that improvement stretch was defeat Yulia Putintseva in any capacity. Whether it was the grass semifinal in 2024 at Birmingham, where she lost in straight sets while winning a total of four games, or their hardcourt match in the first round of WTA Hobart that same year, Putintseva seemed to have her number. Both of these ladies are playing wildly different tennis right now, as well.
Best Bet to Make
The books have this one as a push, and I can see why. Cocciaretto hasn’t really provided the bettor with much confidence over her last two matches, but Putintseva is on a six-game losing streak. In fact, she’s 2-8 in her last ten matches to Cocciaretto’s 7-3 in the same number of matches. It’s for this reason that I think Cocciaretto is playing well enough to win now. She’s hit the round of 16 in three of her last four tournaments, and she’s shown the drive to improve on the whole.
That being said, Cocciaretto winning is a value bet for sure.
Value bet/ the best odds: Cocciaretto winning @1.95 @Betway
Dolehide – Wang: Time 17:00
H2H: 0-1
Xinyu Wang made quick work of Caroline Dolehide after dropping four games to her in the first set they ever played against one another. Dolehide would not win another game, and they have not met since. Dolehide is on a four-match losing streak right now, and Wang has won seven of her last ten matches. When it comes to playing on a hardcourt, both ladies are about the same throughout their careers.
Best Bet to Make
Xinyu Wang is favored in this match because she’s the better player at this time. Her win over Dolehide came on a hardcourt. Wang has had her shots this year, most notably a slugfest with Marketa Vondrousova in the final at WTA Berlin. She also just had a semifinal appearance in a hardcourt tournament at the 2025 WTA Livesport Prague Open. She also ran into the buzzsaw that is Coco Gauff in Cincinnati. Wang should cruise in this opening round match.
That being said, Wang winning is a value bet for sure.
Value bet/ the best odds: Wang winning @2.16 @1xBet
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
