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
Bucsa – Eala: Time 17:00
H2H: 0-1
Cristina Bucsa and Alexandra Eala will meet for just the second time. These two last met in the round of 16 at the 2021 ITF Grenoble event, which Eala took in a three-set tiebreak. This is Eala’s first tournament since WTA Montreal back at the end of July. Bucsa is 5-5 in her last ten matches, while Eala is 7-3, with a finals loss to Maya Joint at Eastbourne. This is the second US Open for Eala and the sixth for Bucsa. Eala lost out in qualification last year, and Bucsa’s best effort was a second-round exit in 2022.
Best Bet to Make
Eala is the favorite, according to the books. Her recent play backs this decision, as does her overall record on a hardcourt in 2025 at 13-6. Bucsa is fine on a hardcourt, but she’s right around or just above .500 on a hardcourt most years. Eala has been having a fantastic year, but she hasn’t won a single match at a Major this year. That is concerning, but not enough to scare me off Eala in this match.
That being said, Eala winning is a value bet for sure.
Value bet/the best odds: Eala winning @1.70 @1xBet
Kessler – Vondrousova: Time 17:00
H2H: 0-1
McCartney Kessler and Marketa Vondrousova are almost guaranteed to give the announcers a fit at least once or twice with the similarities in their first names. Marketa isn’t that far away from McCartney, especially when you’re using their names hundreds of times in a match. Jokes aside, these two will meet for their second match in 2025, and both were in a Major. They first met in the first round of Wimbledon this year, with Vondrousova easily taking care of Kessler in the first set, but needing a tiebreak to win the second set. Vondrousova made the quarterfinals here in 2023, but Kessler has yet to even move past the first round.
Best Bet to Make
Vondrousova is a strong favorite in this match, and I don’t agree with that in full. Kessler has done much better than Vondrousova in hardcourt tournaments in 2025. She’s done better, and she’s played in more of them. I’ll concede that the last three weren’t her best showings, but they were still a round-of-16 and third-round showings. The fact that she struggled as a strong favorite against Magda Linette is probably why they feel like Vondrousova is the better pick. I think Kessler can pull the upset here and likely will.
That being said, Kessler winning is a value bet for sure.
Value bet/ the best odds: Kessler winning @2.63 @1xBet
Navarro – McNally: Time 17:00
H2H: 1-1
Emma Navarro and Caty McNally have met twice before in hardcourt tournaments. Navarro took the first round match at Indian Wells in 2023, and McNally took the 2020 Macon 2 ITF match, also in the first round. Navarro made the semifinal here last year, and she will be looking to at least match last year’s success. McNally is having an impressive 15-6 year on a hardcourt. Navarro hasn’t quite had the same success, but she’s 13-11. McNally has also been crushing it lately, as she’s 8-2 in her last ten matches.
Best Bet to Make
Even though McNally is playing some of her best tennis, the Open is an event at which she has not traditionally done well. Navarro is 5-5 in her last ten, but she’s made at least the round of 16 in two of the three so far this year. My gut says to go with McNally, but I cannot justify that bet and will not attempt to do so beyond saying that it’s what I’ll be doing personally. My reasoning is superficial at best, and Navarro has a strong track record at Majors. There’s a reason she’s nearly a one-point favorite.
That being said, Navarro winning is a value bet for sure.
Value bet/ the best odds: Navarro winning @1.68 @1xBet
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
