US Open 2014: Peng appeals as an outsider to follow in the second week

Giantkiller Shuai Peng is one to back at big odds

This year's women's tournament has already been the most unpredictable slam for quite some time, with the fewest top-eight seeds in the second week of a Slam since 2011. James Boswell updates his antepost book with a look at who's still looking good in the betting...

Caroline Wozniacki, my main pre-tournament pick, came through a titanic third round clash with Maria Sharapova to take her rightful place as second favourite. There were times in the second set where the Dane looked down and out against Sharapova's incredible power hitting, but the plucky 'underdog' stuck in there and pulled out a monumental victory in the final set. She'll face the hardy Italian Sara Errani in the next round, but, judging from her belting performance against the Russian, Wozniacki looks back to her sublime best and has a genuine shot at the title with Sharapova out of the picture.

My other pre-tournament pick is Italian Flavia Pennetta, who is up against Australian Casey Dellacqua in the fourth round, who she defeated in the pair's only other meeting. Pennetta has so far justified her number 11 seeding, with some dominant performances since an early three-set scare in the first round. Her route to the final is tough, however, as she is likely to face a huge clash with first seed Serena Williams in the next round. Pennetta has lost all five of their previous meetings and Serena looks to be on the warpath, so if you managed to catch Pennetta at the recommended 420.0419/1 pre-tournament, it might be worth taking a few quid back after she dispatches Dellacqua.

There is definite value to be had right through the draw, with the glaring dearth of top seeds opening up the market. Pick of these for me is Shuai Peng at 28.027/1, the young Chinese player who has caused quite a storm at this year's Open.  Knocking out fourth seed Agnieska Radwanska, 28th seed Roberta Vinci and 14th seed Lucie Safarova in successive rounds, Peng has shown a dominance that she hasn't shown before, playing without dropping a set. Her quarter against youngster Belinda Bencic will be a different challenge, but the momentum of those cruising wins against top seeds is a tough thing to stop.

There are some high rankers I'd like to oppose with Eugenie Bouchard, who has had a wonderful year, topping the list. The Canadian is in the draw but only by the skin of her teeth, scrapping three set wins against Sorana Cirstea and Barbora Zahlavova-Strycova which ought to take their toll. Looking back, only Sam Stosur has been in more than two three-set matches and gone on to lift the trophy since the millennium. Bouchard could feasibly go on to the final without dropping another set, but the likelihood is low with a tough run of matches, so she looks one to oppose in forthcoming matches.

There are a couple of favourites to avoid, however. The obvious no-go zone is laying Serena, who is looking her imperious self again, losing only 11 games in her first three matches. She has the easier half of the draw, and will be eyeing up her sixth US Open victory. Victoria Azarenka is the other player who has caught my eye. Underseeded through injury forced absences, we saw flashes of the Belarusian's talent coming through at Wimbledon and as a finalist for the last two years, she is not to be underestimated.

Recommended Bets
Lay Flavia Pennetta after this round
Back Shuai Peng 30.029/1