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WTA 2019 Italian Open Odds & Picks: Halep and Kvitova Favored to Win

Hayley Graham

by Hayley Graham in Tennis

Updated May 12, 2019 · 2:19 PM PDT

Simona Halep celebrating after a point.
Simona Halep enters the 2019 Italian Open as the outright favorite. Photo by Twitter user @fldiviin.
  • Simona Halep and Petra Kvitova are favored to win the WTP Italian Open
  • Recovering from a shoulder injury, three-time champion Maria Sharapova pulled out of the tournament
  • Three wild cards were given to Venus Williams, Victoria Azarenka, and Sara Errani

With The French Open fast approaching, the Italian Open is the last big event for players to showcase their skills on clay before Paris.

Here is the list of favorites (per Bookmaker) heading into 2019 Italian Open, which starts for real with the Round of 64 on Monday, May 13.

2019 Italian Open Women’s Singles Odds

Player 2019 Italian Open Women’s Singles Odds at BookMaker
Simona Halep +450
Petra Kvitova +700
Serena Williams +920
Kiki Bertens +920
Ashleigh Barty +1300
Naomi Osaka +1300
Elina Svitolina +1450
Sloane Stephens +1850
Karolina Pilskova +1850
Belinda Bencic +2300
Madison Keys +2300

*Odds taken on 5/12/19

When In Rome

To find success in Rome, you’ll need to be able to survive demanding rallies. Different than Madrid’s quick clay and high altitude, Rome’s surface is much slower and can affect many players both ways.

Defending Champ

Defending champion Elina Svitolina is seeking her first clay court win of the year. She hasn’t had the best year to date, putting her odds at +1450 and out of the top five.

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On the other hand, runner up, Simona Halep is at +450, the best odds to win the tournament.

In recent years, at both the Madrid and Italian Opens, we’ve seen a lot of  Halep and Svitolina, and this year might not be any different. It’s possible to see a rematch of the 2018 Finals.

Star Power

Serena Williams will be partaking in the Italian Open after withdrawing from her third-round match at the Miami Open in March. She had been battling a knee injury, but is set to play in Rome for the first time since 2016, where she beat Madison Keys to win the tournament. Her odds are set at +920.

This time around, we could see the Williams sisters’ face each other as early as the 2nd round, something they’ve both been vocal about not enjoying. The last time we saw a Williams vs. Williams was at the 2018 US Open (where Serena won 6-1, 6-2).

All Eyes on Halep

After a disappointing loss in the finals to Kiki Bertens at the Mutua Madrid Open, Halep is putting it behind and is ready to play Bertens again, which could happen early in the tournament.

About my game, I think I played wrong, and I’m upset about that. But I’m not going to make a drama. I’m just thinking for the next one, when I will play against her, to change some things.

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The loss at the Madrid Open didn’t change the fact that she’s the favorite to take home the trophy at Internazionali BNL d’Italia. But we’ll all have to see how she comes out of the gate, and if she’s able to leave the loss behind her.

Madrid to Italy

Kiki Bertens is one to watch closely this tournament. Coming off a win at the Madrid Open. She upset No. 3 seed Simona Halep in straight sets 6-4, 6-4. The biggest title of her career came with a ton of rallies, which should prepare her for Italy.

Despite it not taking much off of Halep’s odds for both the Italian and French open, it has put Bertens on the map as one to be watching on clay. Bertens is someone that may have played in the shadow in the past, but with +920, tied with Serena Williams, she could come out on top.

So Who Should You Bet On in Italy?

With the motivation from her loss in Madrid, her 16-3 Clay Court Record this year, and 2018 French Open Trophy, Simona Halep is going to be the one that players will have to get by in order to win.

As a finalist last year, I’m expecting her to be right back there this year, with even more confidence.

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