The final Grand Slam of the year is here, and the women’s singles draw at the 2025 US Open is wide open with a handful of legitimate contenders. While the top seeds are familiar faces, a new generation of talent is ready to challenge for the title on the hard courts of Flushing Meadows. From the defending champion to a surging teenager, we break down the favorites, reveal the best bets, and pinpoint the longshots who could make a deep run.
US Open 2024 Aryna Sabalenka. Courtesy: Reuters
The Top Tier: Favorites & Best Bets
Iga Świątek (+240)
Iga Świątek enters the tournament as the betting favorite, and for good reason. The world No. 2 has been in scintillating form, coming off a victory at Wimbledon and a hard-court title in Cincinnati. Her tactical adjustments, including more aggressive court positioning, have made her even more dangerous on hard courts. With her proven ability to dominate once she finds her rhythm, Świątek is a strong contender to claim her second US Open title.
* Why she’ll win: Unmatched consistency, a dominant recent run, and improved hard-court play.
* Best Bet: Świątek to win the title at +240.
Photo Courtesy of BBC
Aryna Sabalenka (+350)
The defending champion, Aryna Sabalenka, is a top contender despite a 2025 season where she has yet to win a Grand Slam. She reached the finals of the Australian Open and the French Open and the semifinals of Wimbledon. It is proving her elite consistency. Her explosive baseline game and powerful serve are perfectly suited for the quick courts in New York. While she’s faced some mental hurdles in recent finals, the pressure of being the defending champion could be a motivator.
* Why she’ll win: Defending champion with a game built for hard courts and a proven track record of deep Grand Slam runs.
* Best Bet: Sabalenka to repeat as champion at +350.
Coco Gauff (+900)
As the 2023 US Open champion and a fan favorite, Coco Gauff has the pedigree and the home crowd behind her. She won the French Open this year and has demonstrated she can go toe-to-toe with the top players in the world. Her athleticism and defensive skills are second to none. If her serve holds up, she is a serious threat to go all the way.
* Why she’ll win: A past champion with the full support of the New York crowd.
* Best Bet: Gauff to win her second US Open title at +900.
The Longshots: High-Value Picks
Mirra Andreeva (+1100)
The Russian teenager is a star on the rise. At just 18 years old, Mirra Andreeva has already showcased her immense talent with impressive wins over elite competition. That would include both Świątek and Rybakina this season. Her tactical maturity and composure under pressure are well beyond her years. With a favorable draw, she could easily make a deep run and challenge for the title.
* Why she’ll win: A fearless young talent with a mature game who has already beaten the best.
* Longshot Bet: Andreeva to win the title at +1100.
Photo Courtesy of THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
Victoria Mboko (+2000)
This 18-year-old Canadian is coming off a stunning title run at the Canadian Open. She defeated multiple Grand Slam champions at the competition. Her rapid ascent has made her a compelling dark horse. While a Grand Slam title might be a big ask at this stage of her career, she has the fearlessness of a player with nothing to lose. Her draw places her in a quarter without Sabalenka or Świątek, opening up a potential path to the semifinals.
* Why she’ll win: Unpredictable and surging with confidence after a big title win.
* Longshot Bet: Mboko to make a deep run, a solid pick to win her quarter at a higher price.
Elena Rybakina (+1200)
A former Grand Slam champion, Elena Rybakina has been inconsistent but has shown flashes of her brilliant form. This includes a strong hard-court swing leading up to the US Open. Her massive serve and powerful groundstrokes can overwhelm any opponent. If she can find her rhythm and maintain her focus, she is a live threat at a high-value price.
* Why she’ll win: A proven Grand Slam champion with a game that can’t be contained when she’s on.
* Longshot Bet: Rybakina to win the title at +1200.
Draw Analysis & Key Matchups
The draw has set up some intriguing possibilities. The top half features defending champion Sabalenka and could see a potential quarterfinal against Elena Rybakina. On the other side of the draw, Świątek and Gauff are in the same half, setting up a possible blockbuster semifinal showdown. This draw structure means one half is significantly stacked with major champions and top contenders, while the other offers more opportunity for a longshot to break through. The odds are in and a champion will be crowned at this year’s Women’s US Open.
MUST READS
Women’s Tennis Takes Center Stage at the US Open 2025: Prize Money & Top Players – Athletica Sports
Viorica Bruni Editor Athletica Sports Web Publication
Content Creator for Collective Audience Media
