The final Major of the year is upon us, as the WTA 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
Boisson – Golubic: Time 17:00
H2H: 0-1
Lois Boisson and Viktorija Golubic will meet for just the second time, as their first match was in the round of 16 at the 2021 ITF Saint-Gaudens. Golubic won that match in straight sets, but it was on clay, and this will be a hardcourt match. This is worth mentioning because while they’re both primarily clay players, Golubic also has a robust hardcourt career at 166-112. Boisson is just 11-11, and she’s been pro since 2018. That means not only is she a fish out of water, she’s a saltwater fish out of water by a freshwater lake. Golubic has been competing in New York since 2013.
Best Bet to Make
The books have Golubic as the favorite, and I definitely agree with that assessment. Golubic is also coming off a finals loss to Katerina Siniakova at WTA Warsaw 2 before reaching the quarterfinals at WTA Cleveland. So, she has been preparing for this tournament, and she also has positive results in the tournaments she used as preparation. I truly believe Golubic should win this one in straight sets.
That being said, Golubic winning is a value bet for sure.
Value bet/the best odds: Golubic winning @1.70 @1xBet
Krueger – Kenin: Time 17:00
H2H: 1-1
Ashlyn Krueger and Sofia Kenin will have their chance to break their tie, as they meet for the third time. Kenin took the match on a hardcourt earlier this year at WTA Doha in the first round. Krueger, meanwhile, won their 2024 match at WTA Lleida in the round of 16 on clay. That particular affair went three sets, with two of them going to a tiebreak. Krueger is in a bit of a slump, having only won three of her last ten and two of her last seven. Kenin is only 4-6 in her last ten matches, as well.
Best Bet to Make
The books have Kenin as the favorite, and it’s honestly dealer’s choice here. I don’t believe either one of these ladies represents a sure thing. Kenin has had success on a hardcourt in 2025, but much of it came in the first half of the year. Krueger is another individual who was cooking in the first half of the year and has since slowed to a simmer. Mega blaster to my head, I would say that Krueger looks like she might have more going for her, but Kenin has done slightly better at Majors.
That being said, Krueger winning is a value bet for sure.
Value bet/ the best odds: Krueger winning @2.29 @Pinnacle
Haddad Maia – Kartal: Time 17:00
H2H: 0-1
Sonay Kartal last faced Beatriz Haddad Maia earlier this year at Indian Wells, and then easily dispatched her in the second round in straight sets. Haddad Maia barely registered a fight in the match, winning a total of three games. Neither lady is playing well right now, but Kartal is at least .500 at hardcourt events. Haddad Maia has had atrocious luck on a hardcourt, as she’s 2-12 in 2025. This is completely counter to her overall record of 222-122 on a hardcourt. Haddad Maia made the quarterfinals here last year, but is the underdog in this match.
Best Bet to Make
The books have Kartal as the favorite, and it’s likely because of Haddad Maia’s record on a hardcourt in 2025. If this were any other year, she would likely be a favorite in this match. I still think Haddad Maia is the better player on a hardcourt and people like her tend to show that when the lights come on. Kartal might be a slight favorite, but I do think that Haddad Maia represents quality value as an underdog. I’ll take another upset here.
That being said, Haddad Maia winning is a value bet for sure.
Value bet/ the best odds: Haddad Maia winning @2.21 @1xBet
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
