Once 40-1 Odds to Win Australian Open, Garbine Muguruza Now Top 4 Favorite Ahead of Quarterfinals

• With Garbine Muguruza making an incredible run to the quarterfinals her odds have jumped significantly
• Simona Halep is amongst those who have played unbelievable tennis
• Ashleigh Barty has been just as good if not better then anyone else remaining in the draw, can she bring home the Australian Open?

Not much was expected of Garbine Muguruza coming into the Australian Open. After a pretty poor 2019, it was easy to see why. Throughout much of the year, she simply looked like a shell of her former grand slam winning self.

During the week leading up to the tournament, Muguruza was a longshot to win it all, coming in at +3300. Her odds got even worse, jumping up to +4000 once her side of the draw was revealed. Yet, now that she is one of the eight remaining players left, she currently has the fourth-best Australian Open odds to bring home the title.

Her run has been both dominant and unexpected but can she keep up the good play?

2020 Australian Open Odds

Odds taken Jan. 27.

The Muguruza We Remember

It’s been a few years since we’ve seen Muguruza look as dominant as she has been through this tournament. In 2016 and 2017 she managed to win the French Open and Wimbledon. Since then, she hasn’t exactly looked the same. She’s been in contention every year but 2019 was a rough one of her.

Muguruza’s current run during this Australian Open is reminding everyone just how great she truly is. The tournament almost went in a completely different direction for the Spaniard though as she lost 6-0 in the first set to Shelby Rogers in her opening match.

Not only did she bounce back to win in three, but she returned the favor to Rogers by leaving her on zero in the last set. Muguruza had a bit of trouble against her second opponent Ajla Tomljanovic but managed to get out of that one in three pretty competitive sets.

Resurgent @GarbiMuguruza beats @kikibertens to reach quarters #AustralianOpen #AusOpen #Muguruza #AusOpen2020 pic.twitter.com/BsAgPrLrid

— Sportsnetic Shri (@Sportsneticshri) January 27, 2020

Surprisingly enough, Muguruza got past her two toughest assignments with ease in Elina Svitolina and Kiki Bertens. Dispatching them both in straight sets.

There is no reason to believe that she can’t continue her strong play but don’t expect her to bring home her third grand slam title.

Ashleigh Barty Shows Why She’s the Favorite

World number one Ashleigh Barty has had a few bumps in the road on her way to the quarterfinals but she’s looked very impressive.

She lost an ultra-close first set against Lesia Tsurenko in the opening round but played incredibly in the second and third sets, losing just one game in each.

From there, Polona Hercog and Elena Rybakina stood in her way in the second and third rounds but neither could grab a set off her.

#AshBarty advances to #AustralianOpen quarter-finals after #three–#set #thriller #AshleighBarty ⁦@ashbarty⁩ https://t.co/lEtKP56W8r

— Tulip Penney (@TulipPenney) January 26, 2020

Alison Riske waited for Barty in the fourth round and almost knocked her out in a very close match. Instead of folding under the pressure, Barty played some inspiring tennis and left the court with the win.

Barty is in a difficult but great position. She’s one of the eight remaining players left in the tournament which is good news but her road is still a daunting one.

Did the oddsmakers get it right by naming her the tournament favorite?

Best Bet: Ashleigh Barty +285

You can make a legitimate argument for everyone left in the draw. Garbine Muguruza has two grand slam titles already under her belt and so does Simona Halep, who has been playing some incredible tennis herself but Barty has to be given the nod here.

When you have a field that contains the best players in the world, just about any one of them can win it all but Barty seems like the right call, and at +285 she presents a ton of value.