Monday US Open WTA Betting Preview: Can Pironkova Keep Her Surprise Run Going? (Sept. 7)

Tsvetana Pironkova vs. Alize Cornet Odds

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Pironkova-Cornet in the fourth round of a major in 2020 and not on grass. Amazing. Feels more like a first-round matchup, but 2020 continues to surprise.

Tsvetana Pironkova's run to the fourth round has been the best story on the women's side at the 2020 US Open. The Bulgarian hadn't played a match on Tour in three years and even contemplated giving up for good before using an exemption to get into this year's draw.

After a shoulder injury sidelined her after Wimbledon in 2017, Pironkova announced her pregnancy in early 2018 and missed more time before returning to the Tour this month with a bang. Prior to her long break, Pironkova was well known for random deep runs at Grand Slams.

Pironkova announced herself to the tennis world back in 2006 with an epic three-set win over Venus Williams at the Australian Open. But her first deep run at a major came at Wimbledon, where she advanced to the semis and quarters in consecutive years in 2010 and 2011 on her preferred surface of grass. And even though her game doesn't translate at all to clay, she made a surprise run to the French Open quarters back in 2016.

Her attacking style and funky forehand slice are best suited for grass, but that, along with her featured double-handed backhand, also play on speedier fast courts. Look no further than the title she won in Sydney on a hard court back in 2014 when she defeated three straight top-10 opponents. She's definitely a fan of these new quicker courts in Flushing.

Pironkova is just playing free and easy tennis right now. The new mother doesn't appear to be under any stress or pressure. The results have been impressive, to say the least, with three straight-set wins as an underdog without dropping a set — two against seeds. She's also yet to play in a tiebreak.

Her opponent, Alize Cornet, also comes into this match with some good form. She beat Sonya Kenin and Caty McNally here at the Western and Southern prior to this run to the fourth round. However, her results have not been as clean as Pironkova. It took her three sets to get by an out-of-form Lauren Davis in the first round followed by a win over Ysaline Bonaventure, which won't wow anyone.

Her most impressive win came against Madison Keys, who had to withdraw with a neck injury midway through the second set. Cornet won a coin flip tiebreaker in the first set after facing the only break point in the set. She's been very fortunate since the restart, holding a 3-0 record in tiebreakers, including two here in New York.

When it comes to pressure, I think Cornet will feel it more in the big moments. The Frenchwoman has certainly had her share of meltdowns throughout her career and has never advanced to a Slam quarterfinal in 54 consecutive main draw appearances at a major. Pironkova has not only made three but also seems to be playing with house money right now. I think she'll stay calmer during the pressure points.

Pironkova is taped up but I haven't seen anything worth worrying about so far. Unless Cornet just doesn't have it, this should be close, but Cornet won't be able to break down Pironkova's backhand. I think the Bulgarian gets it done on the bigger points.

Bet: Pironkova -110 (don't bet at over -120)

Elsewhere, I wouldn't blame anybody for siding with any of the three underdogs, who all have a tad bit of value after some recent steam on the favorites.

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