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Danka Kovinic vs. Serena Williams U.S. Open Round 1 Prediction, Pick and Odds

By Reed Wallach

Serena Williams prepares to serve to Emma Raducanu during the Western & Southern Open at the
Serena Williams prepares to serve to Emma Raducanu during the Western & Southern Open at the / Cara Owsley/The Enquirer / USA TODAY
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Will this be the end of an era?

Serena Williams takes the court for potentially the last time as a professional tennis player on Monday night at the U.S. Open. The 40-year-old has won 23 grand slams in her career, but has fallen off over the last year or so due to injuries. She has won six U.S. Open's in her career, but none since 2014, can she make one last run at glory and ride into the sunset?

Williams' final tournament starts Monday night against Danka Kovinic. The former World No. 1 was stunned in the first round of Wimbledon last month, will she avoid that same fate in front of the home crowd?

Here are the odds and our best bet for what could be Williams' final match:

Danka Kovinic vs. Serena Williams Odds, Spread and Total

Spread:

  • Danka Kovinic: +4.5 (-110)
  • Serena Williams: -4.5 (-110)

Moneyline:

  • Danka Kovinic: +285
  • Serena Williams: -365

Total:

  • 20.5 (Over -135/Under +105)

Danka Kovinic vs. Serena Williams Prediction and Pick

Betting on Williams at this point in her career is a bet on her pedigree and the belief that she will not go down without a fight. However, she hasn't inspired much confidence in her return from injury, dropping three of four matches in 2022.

Kovinic should be the exact start she is looking for, especially with a massive home contingent in the stands at Arthur Ashe. Kovinic hasn't won a set since May 23rd as she has battled her own injuries (back) and hasn't won on this surface since March.

Williams overpowering forehand should do the trick to avoid another first round exit, but her conditioning has consistently been a factor over the past year. If she falls behind, I'm concerned that she falls off and loses her confidence, leading to a straight sets defeat. On the other side of the coin, she can rally off the crowd and win with ease if she nudges in front with an early break.

I'm banking on short match outcomes in the first round for Williams, win or lose, so I'll look towards the under 20.5 games as my favorite first round bet.

LEAN: UNDER 20.5 (+105)


Track all of Reed's bets at Betstamp HERE!

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