SkySports tennis commentator James Buttler looks at ways to play the first two semi-finals with two big 50/1 outsider tips already landing some winning bets at Flushing Meadow.
I'm back for a bit of an update on where we are with the US Open tennis bets. And it's good news.
So far, eight bets have been put up on Betting Radio, two have died, but of the other six, three have already landed. That's Taylor Fritz at 3/1, Aryna Sabalenka at 1/2 and Emma Navarro and 5/1 to win their quarters. Tick, tick, tick. And those three carry live bets into the final four.
Emma Navarro v Aryna Sabalenka
We'll start off in the women's side of the draw because we put up Emma Navarro at 50/1 ew at the start of the tournament and she's stormed through into the semi-finals. We also put up Aryna Sabalenka at 3/1 at the start of the tournament and 15/8 after the 2R to go on and win the US Open. These two now meet each other in the first of the known women's semi-finals.
Sabalenka has always been my pick to win the US Open. The no.2 seed is playing exceptional tennis, but Navarro, the 13th seed, has come through and has looked really good so far. If you're already on the 50/1 on Navarro each way, she needs to get through to the final to make that bet count. If you're on Sabalenka as well to win the trophy, there is a way to play this semi-final that can guarantee a profit.
These two have met twice before, both times in 2024. Sabalenka won on clay, but when they met on a hard surface in Miami, Navarro came through in straight sets, 6-2, 6-3. Navarro is 3/1 to beat Sabalenka, who is odds-on at 1/4. Do you know what? I'd still be tempted with Navarro to cause an upset. She's got the momentum behind her and Sabalenka has got far more to lose because she'll be expecting to lift the trophy.
Taylor Fritz v Frances Tiafoe
Across to the men's side of things, in the bottom side of the draw, we know the semi-final and it is Taylor Fritz, the no.12 seed, taking on Frances Tiafoe, the no.20 seed. Fritz took out Alexander Zverev, the no.4 seed, in that quarter and we have him at 50/1 ew.
I think we stay with Fritz here. He's 4/9 to beat Tiafoe, who's 7/4 and they have met seven times before. Tiafoe did win the first time they met, but the last six have all gone to Fritz. I've got a feeling Fritz wins this one comfortably, so I'm happy to let him ride.
If you're on the 50/1 ew, though, you need Fritz to get into the final. So, maybe a little bit of a cover bet on Tiafoe might not be the daftest bet in the world.
It's a really open competition, I think, on both sides, the men's and the women's at the US Open. I'm really enjoying watching the tennis and enjoying seeing some of our bets come in as well.
Gamble responsibly, everybody, and I'll see you again soon with another update from the US Open.