British number five Harriet Dart bids for a place in round three of a Grand Slam for only the third time in her career – and a first time outside Wimbledon – when she takes on Marie Bouzkova at the US Open this afternoon.
Dart, who came through qualifying with a win over compatriot Heather Watson, is 105 places inferior to world number 26 Bouzkova in the rankings, and the odds suggest she has a mountain to climb with the Czech a 1/6 chance to advance and the Briton 4/1.
Bouzkova is enjoying a consistent season including title wins in Colombia and Nottingham, but Dart prevailed as an underdog against Peyton Stearns in her New York opener and will believe she can trouble today's opponent.
Harriet Dart v Marie Bouzkova Tips Summary
Best Bet - Marie Bouzkova to win & over 18.5 games @ 6/5
Alternative Bet - Harriet Dart 3+ aces @ 13/8
Bet Builder - Marie Bouzkova to win match, 1st Set: over 9.5 games, Harriet Dart 3+ aces @ 6/1
Harriet Dart v Marie Bouzkova Prediction
Best Bet: Marie Bouzkova to win & over 18.5 games @ 6/5
Bouzkova's lofty ranking illustrates her consistency this season and the Czech is a worthy favourite for this second-round clash with Dart, who has her limitations.
However, the Czech couldn't have asked for a much better first-round opponent than Frenchwoman Elsa Jacquemot, who came into the US Open having lost all four hard-court matches this summer.
Bouzkova was always likely to make light work of a player she had beaten with ease twice on hard courts this year but, in Dart, she faces a player who has had a confidence boost having come through qualifying before beating a US player in New York.
Dart returned well in her first-round triumph over Stearns and while Bouzkova's solid defensive game will frustrate her, the Briton should be able to keep this competitive – she did, after all, win the only meeting between the two on Eastbourne grass in 2024.
A three-set match is one potential betting option, but preference is for Bouzkova to win a contest featuring in excess of 18 games.
Alternative Bet: Harriet Dart 3+ aces @ 13/8
While Bouzkova should prove too strong, one area where Dart could be competitive is when it comes to total aces, and the best way to profit could be to back the Briton to have three or more in the match.
Dart's delivery has been working well in New York. She recorded three aces against Kristina Penickova in the second round of qualifying, four in her final qualifying win over Watson, and seven against Stearns in her main-draw opener, five of which came in the opening set.
Bouzkova is a solid returner but her first-round opponent Jacquemot fired in two aces despite being outclassed.
Harriet Dart v Marie Bouzkova Bet Builder Tip
Marie Bouzkova to win match
1st Set: over 9.5 games
Harriet Dart 3+ aces
Pays 6/1
Bouzkova has reached at least the third round of the last two Grand Slams and her class should tell at some point in this match, but Dart is capable of keeping things competitive and can hang around in the opening set at least, making over 9.5 first-set games an attractive Bet Builder leg.
If this does turn into a longer match than anticipated, the Briton should be able to contribute at least three aces, just as she has in her last three matches.
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Key Match Stats
Dart won the only head-to-head meeting 7-5 6-7 6-4 on Eastbourne grass in 2024
Bouzkova has a 29-18 record this year and has won seven of her 10 Grand Slam matches
Bouzkova has made the third round of the last two Grand Slams (French Open and Wimbledon)
Dart's four US Open matches (including qualifiers) have all gone to a deciding set
Bouzkova converted five of her eight break points against Elsa Jacquemot in round one
Dart has lost all four previous hard-court Grand Slam second-round matches
Read more tennis betting tips and predictions on site.
This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
