Williams vs Strycova; Halep vs Svitolina: Wimbledon Semifinal Odds Favor the Better Seeds

• The Ladies Semifinals at Wimbledon are slated for Thursday, July 11
• #11 Serena Williams is favored over Barbora Strycova, while #7 Simona Halep is the chalk against Elina Svitolina
• Where can we find a strong betting opportunity?

The top six seeds were knocked out of Wimbledon pretty early on the ladies side, but the most accomplished player in the sport remains the favorite. As you can see from the 2019 Wimbledon odds tracker, 23-time major champ Serena Williams became the chalk after upsets took place in the Round of 16.

Williams is not an enormous favorite in the semis against 48th-ranked Barbora Strycova. Neither is #7 Simona Halep, the 2018 French Open champ and top-ranked player remaining, in her matchup with #8 seed Elina Svitolina.

Here’s where the odds stand as of Tuesday afternoon, with both semi finals set to take place on Thursday, July 11th.

Simona Halep vs Elina Svitolina Wimbledon Odds

*All odds taken 07/09/19

Coin Toss?

Neither player has faced the world’s toughest road as they each pursue their first ever trip to the Wimbledon Final.

Halep is 27 years old and, aside from her work on clay, has only occasionally been a serious player in major tournaments. She always is seeded among the favorites, and reached the finals at the 2018 Australian Open. Her Wimbledon resume isn’t bad, three quarters and one semifinal. She has lost just one set at the tournament this year, but Shuai Zhang, 15-year-old Cori Gauff, and the no-longer-competitive Victoria Azarenka is not a murderers row.

Svitolina, a 24-year-old Ukrainian, has also dropped just a single set. Her recent wins over Karolína Muchová, Petra Martić, and Maria Sakkari are good but not great. Since losing her first match at Wimbledon last year, she has reached the fourth round at the U.S. Open, the quarterfinals at the Australian Open, and the third round in Paris. She has beaten Halep in four of six career matches.

Barbora Strycova vs Serena Williams Wimbledon Odds

*All odds taken 07/09/19

You Have to Beat the Best to Be the Best

All-time great Serena Williams is seeking her first major title since early in 2017, and first Wimbledon crown since 2016.

Serena is not the dominant player we saw for over a decade. Prior to 2016, Williams had gone 21-4 in major finals. Since then, she is 2-4. Last year, she lost the Wimbledon final to Angelique Kerber in straight sets. She is 3-0 all time against Strycova, though.

[Serena] is 3-0 all time against Strycova.

Williams has been upset several times, but by a 33-year-old playing in her first major semifinal seems somewhat unlikely.

Strycova first came to Wimbledon in 2003, and this is just her second trip past the third round. This year, she lost in the opening round at the Australian Open and French Open. She impressively put away Johanna Konta in straight sets on Tuesday after needing three to get by Elise Mertens in the Round of 16.

Best Bet for 2019 Wimbledon Semifinals

I am never a huge fan of backing Serena. She’s the biggest name and the public loves to back her, therefore the odds are never truly fair. That said, it is hard to support Strycova. While Williams tends to play longer matches than she needs to against inferior players, this feels like a mismatch, and maybe the under is worthwhile.

Svitolina against the spread at +3.5 games (-108) and on the moneyline at +186 offers value.

The first semifinal feels very competitive. Halep is the more established player and perhaps that recognition is the reason she is the favorite. That said, Svitolina has done well against her rival and seems to be on even footing. Svitolina against the spread at +3.5 games (-108) and on the moneyline at +186 offers value.