Odds Fading on Angelique Kerber and Elina Svitolina to Win Women’s Singles at Australian Open

• The Australian Open is currently taking place in Melbourne until February 2
• Serena Williams is still the favorite by far to win the tournament
• Many odds have changed as players move from the first round matches to the second.

The 2020 Australian Open is well underway in Melbourne, with some the top male and female tennis players competing. Serena Williams is still the favorite to win the tournament. She’s been the favorite since the Australian Open odds came out, and they haven’t changed much since the tournament started. But other players, like Angelique Kerber and Elina Svitolina, have seen their odds lengthen, even after their first round wins.

Odds taken Jan 21. 

Angelique Kerber

Former Australian Open champion, Angelique Kerber won her first round today in straight sets, beating Elisabetta Cocciaretto 6-2, 6-2. Kerber was not happy with her 2019 season, but has come out to a strong start here at the Aussie Open. But her odds have lengthened from +2500 last week, to +4000 after the draw and have remained there despite the first round win.

Kerber dropped just four games against the Italian in a match that lasted one hour and 22 minutes. Despite what looks like a dominant win on paper, many are saying Kerber survived what would’ve been a heartbreaking loss. Cocciaretto committed 36 unforced errors, despite her 32 winners, basically allowing Kerber to sweep in and take the match.

Cheers to that ?@AngeliqueKerber eases past qualifier Elisabetta Cocciaretto 6-2 6-2, to advance to the #AO2020 second round.#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/Z261F8i74S

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 21, 2020

Elina Svitolina

Elina Svitolina took her first match today against Great Britain’s Katie Boulter. Svitolina managed to win in straight sets, 6-4, 7-5, in just over an hour. Not an easy first match for the No. 5 seed, this was the first meeting between the two players.

No. 5 seed @ElinaSvitolina opens her #AusOpen campaign against Brit Katie Boulter!#AO2020 pic.twitter.com/5sVzAif8j0

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 21, 2020

Svitolina wasn’t able to come out to a strong start, as the first set was tight. The No. 5 seed had to deal with a breakpoint before being able to hold. Svitolina was able to put pressure on 23-year old, beating her out in lengthy rally and tough forehands.

Boulter kept the fight alive, not allowing Svitolina to take full control over the match. But when it was 6-5 in the second set, Boulter started the game with a double fault and then hit a forehand into the net. Two unforced errors, that led to two match points.

But again, Svitolina, considered one of the contenders, and whose odds were +1867 last week, have lengthened ahead of round two. Svitolina’s odds are currently listed at an average of +2500 prior to her second round match.

Best Bet

As mentioned above, their wins seem more impressive on paper than the actual match. I do think that both players have the ability to move onto future rounds, but not to win the title. With Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka dominating, and some other key players still in the mix, the competition is still extremely tough.