Serena Williams arguably is the greatest women's tennis player of all time, winning an Open Era-record 23 Grand Slam titles during a dominant career that began in 1994 at age 14. Ranked the WTA World No. 1 at year's end five times, she captured her first major championship in 1999 and is one behind Margaret Court for the all-time mark. Williams, who is expected to retire at the conclusion of the 2022 U.S. Open, has worn the crown at Flushing Meadows six times and begins her pursuit for one final title when she takes on Danka Kovinic in the first round of the tournament on Monday at 7 p.m. ET.
Williams is a -370 favorite (risk $370 to win $100) in the latest Williams vs. Kovinic odds from Caesars Sportsbook, while Kovinic is a +270 underdog. The over/under for total games is set at 20.5, with Williams favored by 4.5 games. Before making any Kovinic vs. Williams picks or 2022 U.S. Open predictions, you need to see what tennis expert Jose Onorato has to say.
Onorato grew up playing competitive tennis in Caracas, Venezuela. After coming to the U.S., he trained with famed coach Nick Bollettieri at IMG Academy in Florida and faced players like Robert Farah, now one of the world's top-ranked doubles players.
Onorato, who holds dual degrees in finance and economics from the University of Miami, does extensive research before placing any tennis bet. He studies current form, players' tendencies on a particular surface, weather conditions and many other relevant factors. That systematic approach helped Onorato go 69-46 - up 54.98 units - from January through July.
Now, Onorato has scrutinized the latest U.S. Open 2022 odds and released his coveted best bet for the Williams vs. Kovinic first-round match. He's sharing his pick and analysis only at SportsLine.
Serena Williams vs. Danka Kovinic preview
Williams hasn't won a Grand Slam title since defeating sister Venus in the final of the 2017 Australian Open and has been eliminated in the first round of her last two major appearances, suffering a leg injury that forced her to withdraw in the first round of Wimbledon in 2021 and losing Harmony Tan in the opening round at the All England Club this year. The 40-year-old made early exits in her next two tournaments, losing in the second round of the National Bank Open in Toronto and the first round of the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati. With this likely being her last event, Williams figures to be laser-focused on making a long run and ending her storied career with a record-tying championship.
That is bad news for Kovinic, who has won only three of her nine WTA Tour matches since reaching the semifinals of the Andalucia Challenger in Spain back in April. However, the 27-year-old native of Montenegro is having the best year of her career in Grand Slam events as she reached the third round of both the Australian and French Opens. Kovinic, who never has faced Williams, has advanced past the first round of the U.S. Open twice in four tries and lost her opening match against Kristyna Pliskova last year. See who Onorato is backing right here.
How to make Williams vs. Kovinic picks
In addition to his analysis, Onorato has released a best bet for the first-round match. Be sure to see Onorato's pick and analysis before locking in your 2022 U.S. Open picks for Kovinic vs. Williams.
Who wins Williams vs. Kovinic in the first round of the 2022 U.S. Open? And what pick could lead to a huge return? Visit SportsLine now to see Jose Onorato's best bet for Kovinic vs. Williams, all from the tennis expert who knows the game from a player's perspective.
