Tennis best bets and predictions for Wednesday, August 16th
The US Open is now a matter of weeks away, which means tennis season is really heating up. There have been a lot of big tournaments over the last couple of weeks, and VSiN is here to provide you with tennis best bets on everything that's left before we get to Flushing Meadows. With that in mind, keep reading to get my picks for Wednesday, August 16th. This week, the focus is on the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati. I'll look to make picks on both the men and the women, and I'll probably be adding more to these columns each day. So, make sure you refresh for more picks — or click the link below for the Pro Picks page.
RELATED: Check out our Pro Picks page for more bets from our VSiN analysts
Ugo Humbert vs. Tommy Paul
The only previous meeting between these two players came in a hard-court match at the Challenger level, and that was all the way back in 2018. These two ended up playing three sets in that one, and I think the two will play another lengthy match here. But nothing from that last match will tell us anything about this one.
The real reason to like this Over is that these are two players that are playing some great tennis right now, and both of them have been very sturdy with the ball on their racquet. And when you're hoping for a match to go Over the total, the easiest way for that to happen is for both players to serve well. With that in mind, I can see there being a tiebreaker in this match, and then we'd just need the other set to be 6-4. But the most realistic outcome is probably this match going three.
This is a match in which Paul is expected to come away with the win, with the American being a slight favorite playing in his home country. But Humbert can easily serve his way to at least a set in this one, and I think that's what ultimately ends up happening. He's in a nice groove right now, so it's hard to believe he'd let this one get away in straights. And I feel the same way about Paul. If the American does lose this match, it's hard to see him going down without a fight — especially in front of this crowd.
Bet: Over 22.5 Games (-120)
Stan Wawrinka vs. Frances Tiafoe
This is going to be one of the most fascinating matches of the day. Tiafoe has the advantage of having last played on Sunday, while Wawrinka had to play most of his opening-round match on Monday and then come back out to finish it on Tuesday because of the rain. So, Tiafoe will have a slight edge in the rest department. But I don't think Wawrinka will be too gassed from what he had to do on Tuesday. And I think his win over Brandon Nakashima should have him rather prepared for this match against Tiafoe. Both American players have big serves and can really move around the court. But Wawrinka has the power to handle players like that when he's on his game.
Wawrinka also happens to be 3-0 in his career against Tiafoe. And while you'd probably think that those wins came when Wawrinka was playing at a top-five level, he actually got a win over Tiafoe in London last year. That was a grass-court match and it was one in which Wawrinka's firepower was on heavy display. And Wawrinka has been a much better player in 2023 than he was in 2022.
Overall, I just don't think much separates these two. When Wawrinka is healthy, I still think he's a top-20 player in the men's game. And he has been healthy lately, so I think we'll see a great effort from him here. Tiafoe has also played some pretty lousy tennis over the last couple of weeks. So, I'm playing Wawrinka to win a set and I'm also sprinkling the moneyline.
Bet: Wawrinka +1.5 Sets (-160 - 2 units) & Wawrinka ML (+155)
ADDED PLAYS:
Lorenzo Sonego +1.5 Sets (-110 - 1.5 units) vs. Taylor Fritz
Borna Coric ML (+135 - 2 units) vs. Hubert Hurkacz
Jelena Ostapekno +1.5 Sets (-155 - 2 units) vs. Elena Rybakina
Jelena Ostapenko ML (+160) vs. Elena Rybakina
Victoria Azarenka ML (-180 - 1.5 units) vs. Donna Vekic
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