Weekend Review: Layers delight in Serena Williams meltdown
Naomi Osaka’s defeat of Serena Williams in the US Open final provided the biggest sporting shock of the weekend
The US Open dominated the back pages this weekend as Naomi Osaka beat Serena Williams in the 2018 women’s final.
Williams got a code violation for coaching, a penalty point for racquet abuse and a game penalty for calling the umpire a “thief” in the defeat to Osaka which was a stunning result for the bookies.
So there’s been a lot going on but I just want to say, I was grateful to have the opportunity to play on that stage yesterday. Thank you ❤️ pic.twitter.com/utiEKJF8NN
— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) September 9, 2018
Kindred Group’s Ali Gill said: “The women’s side of the event saw Naomi Osaka win her first ever Grand Slam and deny Serena the chance to draw level for all time Grand Slam winners, leaving us nicely in the black on that one.
“Kindred certainly enjoyed Serena’s meltdown more than our players who had backed her en masse,” he added.
Punters got their first look at the UEFA Nations League this weekend, the newly-formed international football tournament designed to bring some excitement back to friendlies.
England lost 2-1 to Spain at Wembley despite taking the lead through Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford as his team-mate Luke Shaw suffered a sickening head injury.
Gill said: “Much as was the plan with the matches themselves, the Nations League has given an injection of interest to the international break for Kindred as we saw decent increase of turnover vs. traditional international friendlies.
“France v Netherlands was comfortably our biggest match and, all things considered, we escaped close enough to even on that one.
“Unfortunately, England v Spain was next in the list and although the pattern of the result was the same, this game cost us significantly.
What a ball by @LukeShaw23, really hope your alright pal 💪🏾
— Marcus Rashford (@MarcusRashford) September 8, 2018
“Overall, the increased competitiveness meant less draws and less shocks, giving the impression that although popular with the fans, the Nations League may not always be as kind to the bookmakers,” added Gill.
In the absence of top-flight domestic football, Eamon Moran said racing dominated the action on the Betdaq exchange.
Moran said: “With no football around Europe due to the international break, the biggest action on Betdaq this weekend was at Haydock and Ascot.
“A total of £950k was matched on the Sprint Cup at Haydock as The Tin Man upset short-priced favourite Harry Angel to land the Group One after near misses in the last couple of years.
“At Ascot, £633k was staked on the Cunard Handicap – won by Ripp Orf – slightly more than the £626k traded on England’s 2-1 defeat to Spain at Wembley.
“That England game did produce one of the bigger successful bets of the weekend though, with one punter correctly matching £3,500 on Spain at 3.02,” he added.