As the Biggest Underdog Left Standing, Barbora Strycova’s Wimbledon Women’s Singles Odds 9-1 Ahead of Semifinals

• Barbora Strycova is the only unseeded player in the Wimbledon Women’s Singles semifinals
• Sportsbooks make her a +298 underdog in Thursday’s match against seven-time Wimbledon champ Serena Williams
• Strycova is listed at odds of +900 to win the tournament

Any way you look at it, Barbora Strycova is playing with house money. But should you bet the house on this intriguing underdog to topple one of the legends of women’s tennis?

Strycova, 33, from the Czech Republic, has advanced to a Grand Slam semifinal for the first time in her WTA career. She’ll face seven-time Wimbledon champion Serena Williams,. Williams is seeking her 24th Grand Slam singles title to tie Margaret Court for the all-time women’s record.

Barbora Strycova vs Serena Williams Wimbledon Semifinal Odds

*All odds taken 07/10/19

World No. 54 Strycova rallied from an early 4-1 deficit to topple Britain’s Johanna Konta 7-6(7-5), 6-1 in Tuesday’s quarterfinals. Perennial underachiever Konta was guilty of 34 unforced errors. Strycova commited just nine unforced errors and hit 22 winners.

Flawless.

Barbora Strycova defeats Johanna Konta 76(5) 61 on Centre Court to make her 1st major semifinal at her favorite Slam.

Strycova: 22 winners, 9 UFE (3 DFs)
Konta: 28 winners, 34 UFE

Serena vs. Strycova.

— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) July 9, 2019

The Czech player’s previous best showing at Wimbledon was a 2014 quarterfinal appearance.

Williams has defeated her all three times they’ve met, including a first-round match at Wimbledon in 2012.

You Have to Admit It’s Getting Better

Strycova was at +2600 in the Wimbledon odds entering the quarterfinals. Those odds have since shortened all the way to +900 after her quarters win.

2019 Wimbledon Women’s Singles Odds

The 2002 Wimbledon girls’ doubles champion, Strycova was ranked No. 1 in the world as a junior. She won a pair of Australian Open titles as a junior. As well, she’s been part of five Federation Cup championship teams with the Czech Republic. She won a bronze medal in women’s doubles at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

She’s taken out three seeded players in her last three matches. Strycova defeated No. 4 Kiki Bertens 7-5, 6-1 in the third round. She rallied to defeat No. 21 Elise Mertens 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 in the round of 16 before eliminating No. 19 Konta.

Does Strycova Have a Chance?

It could be a busy rest of the week for the Czech player. Along with partner Hsieh Su-Wei of Taiwan, the third-seeded tandem is through to the semifinals of the women’s doubles.

Williams comes into the semifinals off a rugged 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 triumph over Alison Riske. Williams has actually dropped more sets (two) along the way than Strycova (one).

Serena Williams awaits for a place in the #Wimbledon final…@BaraStrycova is into her first ever Grand Slam semi-final after beating Johanna Konta pic.twitter.com/vHPxMvFwV7

— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 9, 2019

Williams has played in three of the past four women’s singles finals at the All-England Lawn Tennis Club. But she hasn’t won a Grand Slam title since 2017.

Williams over Halep in the final is the best bet. At the same time, there’s no getting past the obvious nagging concerns. Halep is notorious for missteps in big tournaments. Williams hasn’t been able to seal the deal in her last five Grand Slam tournaments.

At 33-years-old, Barbora Strycova is the oldest first-time major semifinalist in the Open Era, overtaking Roberta Vinci, who was 32-years-old when she advanced to the 2015 US Open semifinal and finished runner-up. #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/DduuGWjh9r

— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) July 9, 2019

We wouldn’t bet the house, or the farm, or any piece of property on Strycova. However, small wagers on her to beat Williams and to win Wimbledon outright might turn out to be shrewd investments.