Matthew Stockman/Getty Images. Pictured: Naomi Osaka striking a forehand
After a 2020 U.S. Open that was held without fans, the release of this year’s draw only adds to the excitement ahead of the 2021 edition.
The women’s singles draw was released on Thursday ahead of a Monday start, and the favorites are usual suspects.
Ashleigh Barty and Naomi Osaka lead the way, with a solid gap between them and the rest of the field in oddsmakers’ eyes.
2021 U.S. Open Favorites’ Odds
(Odds via PointsBet)
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Ashleigh Barty | +375 |
| Naomi Osaka | +550 |
| Aryna Sabalenka | 12-1 |
| Iga Swiatek | 16-1 |
| Karolina Pliskova | 16-1 |
| Cori Gauff | 16-1 |
| Simona Halep | 20-1 |
| Bianca Andreescu | 20-1 |
| Barbora Krejcikova | 22-1 |
Full odds are listed at the bottom of the page
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There’s not going to much debate regarding the two favorites in this tournament.
On one hand, you have a player in Barty that is having an outstanding year, with a Wimbledon title and a 14-1 record against the top 20 this year.
On the other, Osaka is someone that has to be respected whenever a hard court slam comes around. She’s the reigning U.S. Open champion, Australian Open champion, and the most highly regarded hard court player on the tour.
Q1 Draw
Drum roll, please 🥁
The #USOpen women's singles draw is here with No. 1 seed @ashbarty drawing @BelindaBencic & @iga_swiatek in her quarter pic.twitter.com/IAnlsHEY8P
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 26, 2021
While Barty is the heavy favorite in this quarter, it won’t be a cakewalk. The powerful Polish player, Iga Swiatek, could be a tough out for Barty, as could Belinda Bencic, who just won a gold medal in Tokyo.
Jen Brady has been lethal in hard court slam events recently, falling to Naomi Osaka in the semifinal of last year’s Open and in the final of this year’s Australian Open. She could be another player who poses a threat to Barty’s chance of earning a second slam on the year, and she represents one of the best American opportunities for success.
Q2 Draw
No. 2 seed @SabalenkaA could take on reigning Roland Garros champion @BKrejcikova for a spot in the semifinals. pic.twitter.com/esqItJCd5b
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 26, 2021
The two names to watch out for in this quarter are Aryna Sabalenka and Barbora Krejcikova. The Belarusian has really found her game recently, showing powerful strokes without tossing in as many errors as she used to.
Krejcikova has been a surprise story this year, having the biggest breakout of anyone on the women’s side of the game. She took home a singles and doubles title in the French Open and has won numerous titles throughout the year as she has proved to be a tough out for anyone.
It will be to no one’s surprise if these two have a matchup for a semifinal berth.
Q3 Draw
Defending champion @naomiosaka could face three-time Grand Slam champion @AngeliqueKerber en route to the quarterfinals. pic.twitter.com/fZb9s03CKI
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 26, 2021
Though Osaka will be favored to come out of this quarter, there’s a considerable amount of uncertainty facing the Japanese star. Her last grand slam main draw match came in Paris, before she withdrew due to mental health concerns.
She was able to earn a nice win against Coco Gauff in Cincinnati, but she fell to the red-hot Jill Teichmann in the second round. Osaka’s performance will be something to monitor closely.
Elina Svitolina, Angie Kerber, and Simona Halep are all legitimate threats to Osaka, with the former two finding great form in recent months, and the latter having significant slam experience.
This will be a very fun quarter.
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Q4 Draw
🇨🇿 @KaPliskova's quarter is stacked with three Grand Slam champions 👀. pic.twitter.com/YycTmHyud4
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 26, 2021
Karolina Pliskova is another player with a similar story to Sabalenka. A hard hitter who has struggled with loose play in the past, she has been able to find a rhythm since the French Open.
There are former slam champions abound in this quarter, including Petra Kvitova, Jelena Ostapenko, and Bianca Andreescu. Though none of them have excelled in 2021, this will be a chance to change the narrative of their seasons.
Maria Sakkari and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova are other players to watch out for. Both are having great seasons that included deep runs in the French Open that ended at the hands of Krejcikova. Each plays with power that should be well-suited for the courts in Flushing Meadows.
2021 U.S. Open Odds
(Odds via PointsBet / Denotes all listed players available)
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Ashleigh Barty | +375 |
| Naomi Osaka | +550 |
| Aryna Sabalenka | 12-1 |
| Iga Swiatek | 16-1 |
| Karolina Plsikova | 16-1 |
| Cori Gauff | 16-1 |
| Bianca Andreescu | 20-1 |
| Simona Halep | 20-1 |
| Barbora Krejcikova | 22-1 |
| Garbine Muguruza | 25-1 |
| Petra Kvitova | 25-1 |
| Victoria Azarenka | 33-1 |
| Belinda Bencic | 33-1 |
| Paula Badosa | 33-1 |
| Elena Rybakina | 40-1 |
| Maria Sakkari | 40-1 |
| Angelique Kerber | 40-1 |
| Danielle Collins | 40-1 |
| Karolina Muchova | 45-1 |
| Camila Giorgi | 45-1 |
| Ons Jabeur | 45-1 |
| Elise Mertens | 50-1 |
| Jessica Pegula | 50-1 |
| Jennifer Brady | 55-1 |
| Marketa Vondrousova | 55-1 |
| Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova | 66-1 |
| Sloane Stephens | 66-1 |
| Sofia Kenin | 75-1 |
| Jill Teichmann | 80-1 |
| Madison Keys | 100-1 |
| Anett Kontaveit | 100-1 |
| Johanna Konta | 100-1 |
| Amanda Anisimova | 100-1 |
| Jelena Ostapenko | 100-1 |
| Daria Kasatkina | 100-1 |
| Sara Sorribes Tormo | 100-1 |
| Dayana Yastremska | 150-1 |
| Anastasia Potapova | 150-1 |
| Donna Vekic | 150-1 |
| Kiki Bertens | 200-1 |
| Petra Martic | 200-1 |
| Alison Riske | 200-1 |
| Clara Tauson | 200-1 |
| Emma Raducanu | 200-1 |
| Caty McNally | 300-1 |
| Leylah Fernandez | 300-1 |
| Heat-her Watson | 300-1 |
