US Open Women's Betting: Kirilenko an early test for Sharapova

Can Kirilenko pull off a shock at Flushing Meadows?

The US Open 2014 gets under way on Monday and Abelson Info delve into the first round clashes to find value bets...

It promises to be a thrilling fortnight of action in New York, and the tournament has wasted no time in providing us with some interesting match-ups.

Among the stand-out meetings in the opening round is fifth seed Maria Sharapova's encounter with compatriot Maria Kirilenko, although the latter has struggled mightily in recent times.

Kirilenko has been sidelined with a knee injury which has seen her fall out of the Top 100, and compare that with Sharapova who is top of the Road to Singapore leaderboard and it would suggest that this is going to be one-way traffic.

However, Kirilenko has the experience of beating Sharapova at a Grand Slam previously and she will be desperate to prove a point in New York.

While victory would silence those doubting her ability to make a comeback, it would also go some way in boosting her own confidence. Nevertheless, with Sharapova in such good form coupled with the fact that Kirilenko is still short of her best, the former should justify her short odds (1.091/11).

Elsewhere, Venus Williams is also in action on the opening day as she takes on fellow veteran Kimiko Date-Krumm.

The 43-year-old Japanese ace has pushed Williams to the limit in two of their previous three meetings, taking her the distance in some gruelling clashes. However, the American has looked great in recent months, improving her record for the year to 24-11 and picking up a title along the way.

As a result, she should come through relatively untroubled in a battle of the veterans, while the likes of Simona Halep, Agnieszka Radwanska and Sabine Lisicki all have favourable first round draws and will fancy their chances of progressing with minimal fuss.

Meanwhile, Sara Errani has a tricky start to the tournament against Kirsten Flipkens, but despite the fact that this isn't the Italian's most favoured surface, she has had little trouble in dispatching her Belgian rival in the past.

We envisage the 13th seed coming through in straight sets, and it could be a similar story for fellow Italian, Camila Giorgi, who is fresh from her semi-final run in New Haven and will look to make short work of Anastasia Rodionova.

Elsewhere, Sloane Stephens and Caroline Wozniacki will be expected to defeat Annika Beck and Magdalena Rybarikova respectively.

Wozniacki in particular comes into this tournament in good form, and it will be bitterly disappointing for the Dane if she suffers any early slip-ups.

However, things may not be so simple for Jelena Jankovic, as despite leading her fellow Serbian Bojana Jovanovski in their head-to-head record, her countrywoman has caused her problems on this surface before.

Nevertheless, that was four years ago now, and although it may be more competitive than many believe, Jankovic is another who can justify a short price.

Recommended Bets
Back Over 18.5 Games in Sharapova vs Kirilenko @ 2.1211/10
Back Errani to defeat Flipkens 2-0 @ 2.427/5