Sabalenka Headlines U.S. Open Semis
Women's Field Down to Surprising Final Four
Only four players remain in the U.S. Open women’s draw and we couldn’t be more excited for the semifinals.
Teen sensations Leylah Fernandez and Emma Raducanu are in the thick of the action. They’re out to create history, but Aryna Sabalenka and Maria Sakkari are likely to have a say in the matter.
US open picks are available for the semifinals on Thursday. We’ve plenty of US open tennis predictions for you to consider.
Leylah Fernandez vs Aryna Sabalenka
Thursday, 7 p.m. ET
Leylah Fernandez has done incredibly to make the semifinals. The Canadian has improved her ranking considerably after beating the likes of Naomi Osaka, Angelique Kerber, and Elina Svitolina.
The youngster continues to battle against the odds, which she will need to overcome again against Aryna Sabalenka, the second seed at the U.S. Open.
Sabalenka has rolled through her last four opponents without dropping a set. The Belarussian uses power tennis to her advantage, which is an asset not many players on the WTA Tour possess.
The dream continues for Leylah Annie Fernandez 🇨🇦
Can she go all the way?#USOpen pic.twitter.com/fwXuvpPbOq
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) September 8, 2021
It comes as no surprise to see Sabalenka installed as the -320 favorite at the sportsbook. She has the class advantage and we love the way she defeated Barbora Krejcikova on Tuesday.
It’s the first meeting between them, so there is no history for bettors to use as a guide. However, the only advantage Fernandez has is being left-handed. It can throw opponents off, which is why Rafael Nadal was always a tough opponent.
However, we’re going with Sabalenka to score a convincing win. The U.S. Open is hers to lose and she should be making a finals appearance.
We’re happy to take the -4½ game spread. US Open predictions markets have taken plenty of action for the favorite, so the line could continue to move.
Pick: Aryna Sabalenka -4½ (-105)
Take a Look at 2 Other Analysis for this Week’s US Open Matches
Emma Raducanu vs Maria Sakkari
Thursday, 8:30 p.m. ET
Emma Raducanu continues to impress after beating Belinda Bencic in straight sets on Wednesday.
The young Brit scored an upset 6-3, 6-4 win, but we never doubt her. She is a quality tennis player and her timing is excellent.
“Belinda’s ball speed definitely caught me off-guard because she hits the ball so hard,” Raducanu told The Guardian. “So I had to try and adjust and adapt. It was a really tough match for me. I’m so, so happy to have come through.”
😮
On her debut in New York, @EmmaRaducanu has become the first qualifier ever to reach the #USOpen semi-finals🌟 pic.twitter.com/XMXGAm5iNB
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) September 8, 2021
Raducanu has overcome pulling out of Wimbledon due to panic in fine style, and she doesn’t look flustered on court at all. It’s great to see and she wouldn’t look out of place making the U.S. Open final.
Maria Sakkari defeated Karolina Pliskova in straight sets, which isn’t easy to do. The Greek star has always been a tough opponent but never fully realized her talent.
This could be her year as she marches towards the final. She has the power to get past Raducanu, but we believe in the teenager. Raducanu has something special about her, so we’re riding the wave of momentum and backing her to get the job done.
She will need to endure the hard-hitting forehands from Sakkari, but if Sakkari doesn’t serve well, her game isn’t nearly as explosive. We’ll take the risk that Raducanu handles the pressure and makes her first Grand Slam final.
Pick: Emma Raducanu +125
