Serena favored to win U.S. Open, but don't overlook Andreescu

Serena Williams finds herself in a familiar position entering the 2019 U.S. Open, as the favorite to win the tournament with odds of +500. The 37-year-old superstar has captured the women's singles event on six occasions, including three straight times from 2012-2014.

Rounding out the top four are Simona Halep at +700, Ashleigh Barty at +900 and 2018 U.S. Open champ Naomi Osaka at +1000. The final Grand Slam event of the year, the U.S. Open begins Monday, August 26 and runs until Sunday, September 8.

2019 U.S. Open women's singles odds

Williams still has a big name, but not a big game

Williams' past success at Flushing Meadows has been well documented, but it feels as though her short odds this year are based more upon brand recognition than recent performance. The future Hall of Famer has been hampered by a laundry list of injuries and maladies that forced her to retire from the Indian Wells Masters, Italian Open, Miami Open and Rogers Cup. Williams also skipped out on the Cincinnati Masters, citing back issues, shortly before her first-round match.

Williams is still a huge draw, but her days of standing at center court are coming to an end.

Osaka's injury setback is a major concern

Bettors should also be weary of the 21-year-old Osaka, who enters the tournament with injury concerns of her own. The two-time Grand Slam winner exited her quarterfinal match in Cincinnati on August 16, after she jammed her left knee serving. The injury appeared innocent enough at the time, but has greatly limited her mobility and affected her ability to train. Osaka has gone from a win in the U.S. Open in 2018 to simply trying to play in the tournament a year later.

Andreescu is peaking at the right time

No player has had a wilder ride this year than Bianca Andreescu, who began 2019 ranked 107th in the world. The feisty Canuck pulled off huge upsets at the ASB Classic in Aukland and at Indian Wells before she finally broke through with a win at the Rogers Cup in Toronto. Andreescu already has two WTA titles to her name and is in prime position to add her first Grand Slam within the next two weeks.

Barty is worth a bet

Barty may not have the shortest odds to win the U.S. Open, but there's a reason she's ranked No. 2 in the world. The Aussie sensation reached the quarterfinals at the Australian Open and wiped the court with Marketa Vondrousova to win the French Open. She has also played some of her best tennis in Flushing Meadows, where she reached the fourth round last year and won the doubles title with partner CoCo Vandeweghe. Overlook her at your own peril.

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