WTA Western & Southern Open Women’s Singles Round of 16 Odds & Picks

• Only six of the 16 seeds survived to the third round at the Western & Southern Open
• That’s par for the course these days, but No. 1 seed Iga Swiatek remains the favorite to win it
• Read on as we analyze the round of 16 odds, and make some predictions

There were three walkovers in the Western & Southern Open’s second round that benefited the players who went through without hitting a ball.

Amanda Anisimova pulled out before facing Shelby Rogers. Simona Halep, who won the Toronto event last week, gave Veronika Kudermetova a free pass. As well, Alison Riske-Amritraj went through to the third round without having to play Marie Bouzkova.

Western & Southern Open Women’s Round of 16 Odds

Odds as of Aug. 18 at Barstool Sportsbook. Use this Barstool Sportsbook promo code to bet on the Western & Southern Open

Iga Swiatek remains the odds-on favorite to win the event, even though her tennis has hardly been overwhelming. Elena Rybakina (at +600) might be the better bet at this point.

Pegula vs Raducanu Prediction

The Emma Raducanu hype machine is revving up again, just in time for the 19-year-old to defend her US Open title in New York in two weeks.

But in truth, although the Brit has been solid, she played a nearly-retired Serena Williams who also, reportedly, had a knee issue that led to the postponement of their match from its scheduled Monday slot.

As for Victoria Azarenka, she brought nothing to the dance in a 6-0, 6-2 Raducanu win. She won 59 of the 88 points played.

Jessica Pegula is likely to be a different challenge, as the American is playing the best tennis of her life and is one of the most consistent players on the WTA Tour – arguably, the most consistent.

The two are meeting for the first time.

A week ago, you’d have picked Pegula to win in straight sets. But never underestimate the boost of confidence Raducanu will have gained by beating two players who have been No. 1 and won multiple Grand Slams. And, in Williams’s case, a legend.

grateful to have shared the court w you serena 🙏 pic.twitter.com/4hGTPhmsyt

— Emma Raducanu (@EmmaRaducanu) August 17, 2022

The last three times Raducanu has lost, it has been in straight sets.

We’re calling for two close sets, likely in Pegula’s favor (+163).

Pick: Over 22.5 Games (+112)

Kvitova vs Jabeur Prediction

Both Petra Kvitova (against Jil Teichmann) and Ons Jabeur (against wild card Caty McNally) had narrow escapes in earlier rounds.

Jabeur was a set down and won in a third-set tiebreak.

Kvitova’s rather routine win over Sorana Cirstea, who had upset No. 12 seed Belinda Bencic, leads you to think that she is feeling it this week. Which is good news in the long term, and perhaps not very good news for Jabeur.

Also bad news for Jabeur is that the two have played four times – the last three on hard courts. And Kvitova has won two of the three although Jabeur won the most recent one in Sydney in January.

Jabeur is a very slight favorite, with both players in the minus.

It’s going to be close, and long.

Pick: Over 2.5 Sets (+135)

Riske-Amritraj vs Rybakina Prediction

Riske-Amritraj might be fresh. But Rybakina has rolled through her first two opponents and seems primed, after the inevitable down following her unexpected Wimbledon triumph, to do big things on hard court as well.

The two are meeting for the first time. And it’s unlikely the American will be able to keep up with the speed of Rybakina’s serve and the power of her groundstrokes.

Not that she’s not game. Not that she won’t try to chase everything down. But her funky technique, notably on the forehand, can mean she’s late to the ball even against opponents who don’t hit nearly as hard. Against that power, she’s likely to make more errors and create more short balls for Rybakina to pounce on.

Pick: Under 18.5 Games (+185)