US Open Betting / Gary Boswell / 28 August 2011 /

Gary Boswell was up with the larks on Friday morning to catch the US Open Women's Tennis draw live and has been at the form books ever since working out his potential first round shocks. The following are his top five to turn over the odds.

Back Sania Mirza v Shahar Peer at around [3.25]
India's best ever women's player, Sania Mirza, lines up against Israel's best ever player, Shahar Peer, in what could turn out to be a classic battle. Mirza, who has grand slam winning experience, albeit in the doubles, carries an impressive 4-1 record against the Israeli into the match, winning the pair's last four meetings on hard courts. Peer, seeded 23, has also fallen at the first hurdle of Roland Garros and Wimbledon this year, which should serve to make this first round tie an even bigger mountain for her to climb. Don't expect it to be an easy one though, as Peer has taken Mirza to three sets in their last three meetings. At the price however, Mirza is the smart money.

Back Alona Bondarenko v Sabine Lisicki at around [8.0]
Another grand slam winning doubles player is my second pick. Alona Bondarenko, who won the 2008 Australian Open with her sister Kateryna, matches up against the up and coming Sabine Lisicki. Lisicki, who won many people's hearts at Wimbledon this year, may be in good form, but Bondarenko has previous, beating the German in a three set epic at 2008's US Open. Lisicki is also the weaker player on hard courts, never having passed the second round of Flushing Meadows, where Bondarenko has made the third round in three of the last five years. Bondarenko has had a tough run with injury, causing her to be ranked much lower than she should be, but she has a good chance here to knock out the 22nd seed, at a juicy price.

Back Anne Keothavong v Chanelle Scheepers at around [2.6]
One of four British women in the opening round, Anne Keothavong has a good chance of progressing to the second round for only the second time. Drawn against the South African Scheepers, whom Keothavong has beaten in straight sets on two previous occasions, and who has never passed the first round of the US Open, Keothavong is my favourite for the tie, despite being ranked 18 places below her opponent. The pair seem very evenly matched - same age, similar build and very similar career statistics. In this situation, Keothavong's previous form against the South African should hold her in good stead and can lead her to a well-priced victory.

Back Barbora Zahlavova-Strycova v Petra Martic at around [2.52]
Zahlavova-Strycova is a bit of a mouthful, and she can also be a bit of a handful, as her racquet abusing reputation shows, but the Czech has a good chance of causing an upset here. Her Croat opponent Martic is a rising star, and is currently ranked 12 places higher than Zahlavova-Strycova, but the Czech's superior experience and previous form against the young pretender ought to tell in this first round clash. Zahlavova-Strycova's rankings have had a tough year, mainly due to high seeded defeats in the early rounds of the majors by Li Na in Australia and France and Francesca Schiavone at Wimbledon. A classic case of the rankings not reflecting the true picture, and thus one to exploit.

Back Evgeniya Rodina v Petra Cetkovska at around [6.0]
My final pick is the young Russian Rodina to cause a major upset against world number 40 Cetkovska. Cetkovska, who beat Ana Ivanovic in an impressive run to Wimbledon's fourth round this year, is well fancied, but she has had a poor last few years apart from Wimbledon, and has a bad record at Flushing Meadows, making the full draw only twice in five attempts. Rodina, on the other hand, is a fresh talent, who has given a good account of herself at all of this year's majors. Cetkovska's final reaching run in the New Haven Open may also leave her tired and vulnerable, particularly should she lose the final to world number one, Caroline Wozniacki. Every chance of a shock here.

The recommended bet is level stakes all five with two or three winners required to post a profit. The Boz has been assisted in his research and writing by apprentice tipster Junior Boz! Currently receiving teaching from the old man!

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