1st Set – Most Aces in Tennis Sports Betting Explained
The “1st Set – Most Aces” betting market in tennis is a set-specific prop bet where you wager on which player will serve more aces during the first set only.
It focuses purely on serve performance and power, not who wins the set.
How It Works
Bookmakers will offer options such as:
- Player A – Most Aces (1st Set)
- Player B – Most Aces (1st Set)
- Tie – Equal Aces in 1st Set (sometimes offered)
You’re betting on which player hits the most unreturned serves (aces) in the 1st set only.
Example
Let’s say we have a match:
Novak Djokovic vs Nick Kyrgios
- Nick Kyrgios – 1st Set Most Aces: 1.65
- Novak Djokovic – 1st Set Most Aces: 2.40
- Tie – 6.00
If the 1st set ends 6–4 in favor of Djokovic and the ace count is:
- Kyrgios: 5 aces
- Djokovic: 2 aces
Winning Bet: Kyrgios – Most Aces in 1st Set
Djokovic and Tie bets lose.
Even though Djokovic won the set, Kyrgios wins the “most aces” bet because he hit more aces in that set.
Factors to Consider Before Betting
- Player Serve Strength
- Big servers like Kyrgios, Isner, Opelka, Hurkacz, and Berrettini often dominate this market.
- Players with strong baseline games (like Djokovic or Alcaraz) may not hit many aces.
- Return Ability of Opponent
- If one player is a great returner (e.g., Djokovic, Medvedev), the other may struggle to produce aces.
- Court Surface
- Faster courts (Grass, Indoor Hard) = more aces.
- Slower courts (Clay) = fewer aces.
- Weather Conditions (Outdoor Matches)
- Wind can affect serve accuracy and reduce ace counts.
- Player Motivation in Early Sets
- Some players start strong with powerful serves in Set 1, while others need time to warm up.
Example Scenario
Match: Alexander Zverev vs Matteo Berrettini
Market: 1st Set – Most Aces
| Player | Odds | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| Zverev | 1.80 | Powerful first serve, tends to start aggressively |
| Berrettini | 2.00 | Big server but may start slow |
| Tie | 7.00 | Unlikely but possible |
If Set 1 ends 7–6 with aces:
- Zverev: 7
- Berrettini: 6
Winning Bet: Zverev – Most Aces in 1st Set
Betting Tips
- Check Player Stats Before the Match
- Use sites like ATP Tour or Tennis Abstract for average aces per set.
- Prefer Matches with Strong Servers
- Matches between two big servers often have tight ace counts, but better betting odds.
- Avoid Clay Court Events
- Clay surfaces produce fewer aces; margins are smaller.
- Live Betting Tip
- If a player starts the match serving first, he gets a chance to hit more aces early in the set.
- Look for Value in Underdogs
- If a lower-ranked player has a strong serve, he might hit more aces even if he loses the set.
Summary Table
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Market Name | 1st Set – Most Aces |
| What You Bet On | Player who hits more aces in the 1st set |
| Result Depends On | Ace count only (not set winner) |
| Best Surface | Grass / Indoor Hard |
| Key Players | Kyrgios, Isner, Zverev, Berrettini, Fritz |
| Risk Level | Medium – depends on serve rhythm and opponent’s returns |
Would you like me to create a version for “2nd Set – Most Aces” next, with different examples and strategy?