The rise of the teenagers continued on Wednesday as 18-year-old Emma Raducanu became the first qualifier in the Open Era to reach the US Open semifinals.
Maria Sakkari plays her second major semifinal, after having lost 9-7 in the third set against Barbora Krejcikova at the French Open in June, and she will be desperate to snap an eight-match losing streak in semifinals overall.
Covers Experts' resident tennis expert Tennis Insiders breaks down this Maria Sakkari vs. Emma Raducanu match with our US Open betting preview for the second women’s semifinal.
Maria Sakkari vs Emma Raducanu odds
| (17) Maria Sakkari | Emma Raducanu | |
|---|---|---|
| -150 | Moneyline | +120 |
| -1.5 (-125) | Match Handicap (Games) | +1.5 (-110) |
| 4.5 (Over +110/Under -150) | Total Breaks of Serve | 3.5 (Over -150/Under +110) |
Odds courtesy of bet365 as of September 9, 2021
US Open women's semifinal betting preview
Maria Sakkari betting breakdown
Sakkari had match points to reach the French Open final, losing in heartbreaking fashion to eventual champion Krejcikova. She’s bounced back in New York, beating Petra Kvitova, Bianca Andreescu, Karolina Pliskova — while dropping only one set in the process.
Sakkari doesn’t have huge weapons but her consistency off both wings and defense are admirable attributes, as her game has steadily improved year-over-year.
Emma Raducanu betting breakdown
It’s hard to believe that Raducanu’s first match of the 2021 season was only in June! She’s 21-6 on the year, with a Round of 16 appearance at Wimbledon and she has now reached the final four in New York.
She’s played eight matches in Flushing Meadows — three in qualifying and five in the main draw — and hasn’t dropped a set!
She’s an extremely entertaining player to watch: She likes to take the ball early and these courts have rewarded her aggressive ball-striking. The manner of her victories against Shelby Rogers and Belinda Bencic has been particularly impressive, as the bout with nerves that affected her during Wimbledon seems to have been addressed.
US Open women's semifinal matchup preview
Raducanu’s run has been mesmerizing but the question being asked is "Has it been too easy?" She’s faced zero adversity and sometimes that’s not ideal when you’re about to play the biggest match of your career.
There will also be questions about Sakkari: She admitted the devastating impact losing the French Open semifinal had on her game, so will she be able to hold it together in the crucial moments on Thursday night?
Sakkari has the advantage of already playing a couple of night matches on Arthur Ashe Court and the slightly slower conditions should benefit her in this matchup, as she does possess the stronger defense and can make matches more physical.
US Open women's semifinal pick
- Maria Sakkari first set winner (-138)
