While it’s not Flushing Meadows in popularity, the Washington Open (called Citi Open for sponsorship reasons) is one of the most prestigious tennis tournaments in the USA. This year, it’ll be held for the 53rd time. Surprisingly, this is only the first Citi Open since 2019. Three years have passed since the last one, with many players eager to fight for the crown.
The Citi Open is part of the ATP Tour 500 Series and the WTA 250 of the WTA Tour. The tournament started on August 1 and will last for a week, with the final scheduled for August 7. It’s a leg of the US Open Series leading to the September Grand Slam finale.
Who’s the favorite for the title? We break down those still in play with the most significant chances of taking the crown.
Men’s Favorites
This year’s Men Citi Open features a very strong field of players. Andrey Rublev is the first seed, with Hubert Hurkacz and Taylor Fritz the second and third. The other seeds include Reilly Opelka, Grigor Dimitrov, Francis Tiafoe, Denis Shapovalov, Karen Khachanov, and recent Wimbledon runner-up Nick Kyrgios.
The Russian is the favorite to win the tournament, but truth be told, his odds aren’t the best value. Hurkacz and Fritz’s odds have much better value, and we know that both can compete. While Hurkacz is returning from a recent injury layoff, Taylor Fritz was just a set away from a Wimbledon semi-final and has won this year’s Indian Wells.
Kyrgios’ chances look good, considering his last Wimbledon run. He may be a controversial player, but when he puts his mind to the field, he can be fantastic.
As we said, the field is loaded this year, and while Rublev is the favorite, the other players offer much better odds. If you’re looking for a dark horse to bet on, we will go with Karen Khachanov, Tiafoe, or Opelka. Nishioka may be lower on the list, but he’s still a good pick for his first ATP 500 title.
Women’s Favorites
On the women’s side, the WTA Citi Open field is led by American player Jessica Pegula, the current world number 7. She’s been seeded the top player in the tournament but comes after Emma Raducanu when it comes to betting.
Victoria Azarenka looks like a good pick, too, as do Elise Mertens and Kaia Kanepi. Those should be the dark horse favorites in front of lower-seeded players such as Mayar Sherif and Clara Tauson. Bookies Raducanu, and rightfully so. The young English tennis player is posting record-breaking stats at only 19 years of age. You may know her as the most unlikely winner of the 2021 US Open, with a record run at Wimbledon the same year after getting a wild card entry and reaching the fourth round.
Raducanu is still a young player and can make her name by winning tournaments such as the Citi Open. The Grand Slams bring more points and recognition but are also harder to compete in. For our money, we’d take Raducanu over Pegula this year.
Conclusion
The Citi Open will be a competitive tournament in both the ATP and WTA tournaments. There are plenty of great options, so you surely won’t be disappointed. Tennis betting sites have already lined up the odds, and with the tournament underway, now’s the best time to check your favorite bookie and place a bet.
Whether you go with the favorites or pick a dark horse doesn’t matter. If you know your tennis players and you’re inclined to bet on the Citi Open, the time to do so is right now.
