Aryna Sabalenka vs. Amanda Anisimova prediction from SBR's Gary Pearson for their Wimbledon semifinal match on Thursday, July 10th:
Pick to win: Aryna Sabalenka 2-1 (+290 via BetMGM)
"I have a sneaking suspicion Anisimova will give Sabalenka a run for her money.
While I don't think the American will pull off the upset, she has had success against the world No. 1, having won five of eight meetings, an impressive statistic at first glance.
However, four of those victories came in their first four head-to-head matches, all of which were at least three years ago, with three of them on clay.
Sabalenka has won three of the last four, two coming on hard court. Anisimova is playing some inspired tennis, though, which is enough to convince me she'll force a third and decisive set.
Grass is not Sabalenka's best surface despite her vast improvements, and Anisimova entered Wimbledon on the back of finishing second at the Queen's Club Championships."
Best prop bet: Aryna Sabalenka Over 12.5 games (-110 via Caesars)
"If Sabalenka wins in straight sets, which sportsbooks believe has the best probability of happening, she can still cash this prop. I'm confident Anisimova can drag the Belarusian superstar into at least one tiebreak.
My prediction has Sabalenka losing one set, which would lay the groundwork for a relatively straightforward Over. Sabalenka conceded a set for the first time in the quarterfinals against outsider Laura Siegemund, and she has previously struggled to get over the hump at Wimbledon.
Anisimova is playing her best tennis. That combination should lead to Sabalenka having to work a bit harder and longer for her first final berth at Wimbledon."
Pick to win: Aryna Sabalenka 2-1 (+290 via BetMGM)
"I have a sneaking suspicion Anisimova will give Sabalenka a run for her money.
While I don't think the American will pull off the upset, she has had success against the world No. 1, having won five of eight meetings, an impressive statistic at first glance.
However, four of those victories came in their first four head-to-head matches, all of which were at least three years ago, with three of them on clay.
Sabalenka has won three of the last four, two coming on hard court. Anisimova is playing some inspired tennis, though, which is enough to convince me she'll force a third and decisive set.
Grass is not Sabalenka's best surface despite her vast improvements, and Anisimova entered Wimbledon on the back of finishing second at the Queen's Club Championships."
Best prop bet: Aryna Sabalenka Over 12.5 games (-110 via Caesars)
"If Sabalenka wins in straight sets, which sportsbooks believe has the best probability of happening, she can still cash this prop. I'm confident Anisimova can drag the Belarusian superstar into at least one tiebreak.
My prediction has Sabalenka losing one set, which would lay the groundwork for a relatively straightforward Over. Sabalenka conceded a set for the first time in the quarterfinals against outsider Laura Siegemund, and she has previously struggled to get over the hump at Wimbledon.
Anisimova is playing her best tennis. That combination should lead to Sabalenka having to work a bit harder and longer for her first final berth at Wimbledon."