It’s time for the US Open second round, which means I’m back with more betting opportunities. The first round featured plenty of stacked matches, and the action is sure to be even better in the second round. Here are my picks for the best bets in this round. Please share your thoughts and picks in the comments section.
WTA U.S. Open
Ostapenko – Townsend: Time 17:00
H2H: 1-1
Jelena Ostapenko and Taylor Townsend kick off our coverage. The two met here at the US Open back in 2018, with Ostapenko outlasting Townsend in a three-set match in the second round. They met once again on a hardcourt at the WTA Toronto event in 2024; this time, Townsend took their round of 16 match in straight sets. Both ladies have a ton of experience at the US Open. Townsend made the second round last year, but Ostapenko didn’t make it out of the first round.
Best Bet to Make
The books have Jelena Ostapenko as a favorite, despite the fact that she’s having a worse year overall and on a hardcourt. Ostapenko is 18-16 overall, and she’s 8-10 on a hardcourt in 2025. Townsend is 17-13 overall and 12-8 on a hardcourt in 2025. Even in their most recent tournaments, Townsend made the third round in Cincinnati and the quarterfinals in Washington. I feel like this is a case of the books trying to force something. Townsend would my pick here.
That being said, Townsend winning is a value bet for sure.
Value bet/the best odds: Townsend winning @2.28 @1xBet
Azarenka – Pavlyuchenkova: Time 17:00
H2H: 7-2
Viktoria Azarenka vs Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova is a really interesting match for a couple of reasons. The main reason I personally find it provocative is that Azarenka is 7-2 against Pavlyuchenkova, but Pavs is still the favorite in this match. Pavlyuchenkova has one win against Azarenka on a hardcourt and the other came at the 2021 French Open. Hell, Pavlyuchenkova was riding a four-match losing streak entering the US Open. Azarenka is 6-4 in her last ten and has made the finals here in Queens in 2020, 2013, and 2012. Pavlyuchenkova’s best showing here was the 2011 quarterfinal.
Best Bet to Make
As stated above, it’s surprising to me that Azarenka finds herself as the underdog in this match. The line between these two is extremely close, and Pavlyuchenkova isn’t a favorite by more than .25 points on any book except for Betfair, which has Pavlyuchenkova as a one-point favorite! Many books have this match close to a push, but the majority do see Pavlyuchenkova as the favorite. I do not. You can give me the veteran in this match.
That being said, Azarenka winning is a value bet for sure.
Value bet/ the best odds: Azarenka winning @2.05 @Betfair
Kasatkina – Rakhimova: Time 17:00
H2H: 0-0
Darya Kasatkina and Kamilla Rakhimova will meet for the first time at the 2025 US Open. Kasatkina has been in a slump since the French Open, and she could definitely use a win to get her confidence going. Rakhimova has been extremely consistent in 2025, but she has yet to take that next step. Rakhimova has had her best tournaments on grass. Neither lady have won any tournaments this year.
Best Bet to Make
The books have Kasatkina as the favorite in this match, and I completely agree. Rakimova is a .500 tennis player and has yet to show that she’s capable of being given the benefit of the doubt against a top-20 player like Kasatkina, especially at a Major. Kasatkina should be able to wrap this up in straight sets. Be careful, though, as Kasatkina hasn’t had the best 2025. An upset isn’t out of the question, but I am not picking the upset here.
That being said, Kasatkina winning is a value bet for sure.
Value bet/ the best odds: Kasatkina winning @2.21 @1xBet
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
