Sofia Kenin vs. Iga Swiatek Betting Preview: Kenin (+135), Swiatek (-176)
Iga Swiatek will play in her first grand slam final on Saturday at just 19 years old, but sportsbooks believe the teenager is a strong favorite to win the women’s French Open title.
Swiatek was installed as a -176 favorite by BetMGM after dispatching qualifier Nadia Podoroska 6-2, 6-1 in the semifinals. Sofia Kenin also advanced in straight sets, although she had a much-harder battle in beating seventh-seeded Petra Kvitova 6-5, 7-5.
The fourth-seeded Kenin is enjoying a breakout year that included her first grand slam title at the Australian Open and reaching the fourth round of the U.S. Open. However, Swiatek is considered the stronger clay court player and Kenin is the +135 underdog by BetMGM.
Swiatek is unseeded and looking to complete a highly improbable romp through Roland Garros.
After reaching the third round of the U.S. Open, the Poland native was bounced in the first round of the Italian Open in straight sets leading up to the French Open. In just her second full year on the WTA Tour, Swiatek has been the breakout star of the women’s draw at Roland Garros, dropping only 23 combined games in six consecutive straight sets victories.
Kenin, 21, is attempting to become the first woman to win multiple grand slam events in a year since Angelique Kerber accomplished the feat in 2016.
She has had a much more grueling path to the finals, with four of her first five matches going three sets – all against unseeded players. Kvitova was the only seeded player in Kenin’s path, and the two waged a competitive battle that saw Kenin blow a 5-2 second-set lead before ultimately prevailing.
Set Betting odds (BetMGM)
Swiatek in two sets: +135
Swiatek in three sets: +300
Kenin in two sets: +270
Kenin in three sets: +400
Swiatek has been dominating in each of her six matches, including a 6-1, 6-2 romp over No. 1 seed and 2018 French Open champion Simona Halep. She has lost more than three games in just one of 12 sets played in the tournament and has not lost more than five combined games in any match.
Four of Kenin’s six matches have gone the distance, and she twice rallied from a set down.
Kenin vs. Swiatek Betting Pick: Swiatek in three sets
Kenin vs. Swiatek Best Bet for October 10, 2020
Everything in this match points toward a Swiatek victory. But don’t forget that she’s just 19 years old and had not reached the quarterfinals of a grand slam event before this week.
Only 21 herself, Kenin is the more accomplished player with one slam under her belt and five career WTA titles.
It’s very difficult to close out a first grand slam title, much less as an unseeded teenager. Kenin isn’t overpowering and clay isn’t her best surface, but she is a feisty competitor who has proved in this tournament that she won’t roll over even after losing the opening set.
Kenin vs. Swiatek Best Bet: Match to go three sets (+135)
–Field Level Media
