The WTA Canadian Open is staged in Toronto this year, and World Number One Iga Swiatek is the overwhelming choice of bookies to add a seventh title to her 2022 tally.
Who do Bettors Favor?
Checking out the Canadian Open betting markets at the top sports online betting sites, it is clear that the bookmakers are taking no chances. World number one Iga Swiatek is the short-priced favorite at +225 and the rest are some way behind. Two-time Canadian Open champion Simona Halep at +1000 is her closest challenger, with Cori Gauff and Ons Jabeur close behind.
The men’s and women’s divisions of the Canadian Open switch between two cities in Canada each year, making it an unusual fixture on the tennis calendar. The ATP event will take place in Montreal in 2022, but the WTA competition is staged in Toronto and promises to be a high-quality event.
This year’s edition of the Canadian Open includes 26 out of the top 27 competitors in the world rankings. Iga Swiatek is joined by Wimbledon winner Elena Rybakina, along with Canadian Open defending champion Camila Giorgi, Naomi Osaka and both Serena and Venus Williams, as well as Bianca Andreescu and Leylah Fernandez of Canada.
For bettors, the key facts to bear in mind are that this tournament is considered an essential warm-up for the US Open and that it is played, like the last Grand Slam of the season, on outdoor hard courts. This leaves the tournament vulnerable to the weather, and with thunderstorms, heat, and rain all forecast for this week, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on the skies when you’re making your bets.
Can Swiatek Dominate Again?
Iga Swiatek, the top seed and favorite at the National Bank Open has put together a remarkable record this season and has dominated the WTA. The two-time French Open winner had won six titles this season, including four WTA 1000 titles and recorded the longest winning streak this millennium when she won 37 consecutive matches, a streak that finally ended at Wimbledon.
Although clay is probably her best surface, she has thrived on hard courts this season, winning in Miami, Indian Wells and Qatar. She also has fond memories of this venue, as it was in 2019 that she defeated Caroline Wozniacki and took Naomi Osaka to a tie-breaker in the first set, signalling her arrival as a significant player on the WTA. But while it would be no surprise to see Swiatek dominate again here, there isn’t much value to be had in her current odds.
Cori Gauff Can Win in Canada
Simona Halep has won this tournament twice and will be considered one of the leading contenders. There have also been some promising signs of them returning to her best form since linking up with coach Patrick Mouratoglu. However, Cori Gauff, at slightly bigger odds, looks like a better option.
The 18-year-old star has long been predicted to reach the very top, and this would be a perfect time for her to make a big statement. She’s in good form right now, regularly reaching the latter stages of tournaments, with her runner-up finish at the French Open the most notable so far. Last week she beat Naomi Osaka en route to the quarter-finals. She has also been handed a relatively favorable draw, away from Swiatek, so at these odds, it’s worth betting that she can win in Canada.
Paula Badosa could also be worth a wager in Toronto. She beat Gauff in San Jose last week before going out in the semi-finals, but she seems to be coming into top form, also reaching the last 16 at Wimbledon. As with Gauff, she is on the opposite side of the draw to Swiatek and could capitalize.
Emma Raducanu and Amanda Anisimova are both exciting options at good odds if you’re looking for betting underdogs. Raducanu was born in Toronto, and although she is competing in this event for the first time, she is clearly at her best on hard courts and at this time of year. Whether she can replicate her US Open winning streak this time round is open to question, but her tenacity and her potent groundstrokes make her a solid wager here.
Anisimova has been drawn in the top half, although she will potentially avoid playing Swiatek until the semi-finals, and she is currently in the form of her life. A Grand Slam semi-finalist, she reached the fourth round at Wimbledon – defeating Gauff to get there – and the quarter-finals at San Jose last week. Her odds don’t fully reflect her potential and she could surprise a few people here.
For more than a decade and a half, Teri Geis has carved a niche in the world of betting. Her writing has graced the pages of some of the industry's heavy hitters, including the likes of Betfair, ESPN, and Sporting Life. With her extensive understanding of sports betting, readers can now peruse her insightful reviews, features, and previews here on this website.