We're all set for the year's final Grand Slam, as the tennis world converges on New York City for the US Open.
Let's kick off the festivities with a look into a pair of matches from the women's draw!
Here are my bets for Dart vs Paquet and Kostyuk vs Kessler in my Monday US Open predictions.
Match times are subject to change. Read here for advice on viewing US Open matches.
Monday US Open Predictions
Marta Kostyuk (-250) vs McCartney Kessler (+200)
4:30 p.m. ET
Another underdog that is a tad undervalued by my estimation is Kessler, who is fresh off capturing her first ever WTA Tour trophy in Cleveland. Now, it's obviously worth noting that a 250 event the week before a slam shouldn't be overreacted to, but I think the breakout season Kessler has had on the whole is being disrespected a tad.
Now 25-years old, the former Gator has broken into the top-100 and is making a case to become a more constant presence on the main circuit.
When she first started playing professionally full time, I had major doubts about her ability to be a regular on the main circuit. There was a clear lack of pop from the baseline and the serve needed major improvements. She's clearly bulked up a bit in the last year or so and the ability to dictate from the baseline and put her opponents on the back foot is much more noticeable. The serve could still use some work, but it's encouraging to see some clear signs of progress.
Her rally tolerance also goes unquestioned in my books, and that could be key against Kostyuk.
Much like Dart, I'm not going to make the case that the Ukrainian isn't the favorite to make the second round. I'm simply questioning the odds here, with Kostyuk having had two distinct halves of 2024.
From the Australian Open through Stuttgart, the powerful 22-year old played five tournaments, all at the WTA 500 level or above and made the quarterfinals or better in four of them – including three straight semis in San Diego, Indian Wells and Stuttgart. That stretch exemplified just how good she can be when at her best.
Since then? No tour quarterfinal appearances (she did reach that stage of the draw at the Olympics) in eight events played. That stretch shows just how much she struggles to sustain that top level.
The erratic play is always a possibility with her and the point construction and ability to reign in the power when her opponent find decent depth is something she still needs to improve.
I'll play Kessler to win a set here, but I don't hate a sprinkle on her moneyline either.
Pick: Kessler +1.5 sets (-132 via BetRivers)
Harriet Dart (-245) vs Chloe Paquet (+195)
3 p.m. ET
I'm not going to make the case that Dart shouldn't be the favorite in this matchup, but getting me to believe she's a nearly -250 favorite is going to take some convincing.
Sure, Dart is at her best on hard courts, but let's not pretend like she's so accomplished that she should be given about a 70% chance to beat Paquet. The Frenchwoman has struggled this summer on the hard courts, but she has played some decent competition and been relatively competitive in some of those losses. Paquet also possesses a decent serve and forehand combination and isn't going to shy away from playing longer rallies from the baseline.
That latter point may not even be all that relevant, since it's Dart who plays the flatter-hitting, lower margin for error style that should keep most points fairly short.
The hard court record and previous head-to-head are what is likely driving this price. Yet it's worth pointing out that even that 3-0 lead for Dart features a pair of three set wins, meaning she hasn't really dominated most of those prior encounters.
At +195 there is plenty of room to back the 30-year 0ld here.
Pick: Paquet ML (+195 via BetRivers)
