“1st Set – Total Aces” in Tennis Sports Betting Explained with Examples + Betting Tips

What “1st Set – Total Aces” Means

This market focuses only on the number of aces served during the 1st set of a tennis match.

An ace is a serve that lands in the service box and is not touched by the receiver — an instant point for the server.

You can bet on:

• The total number of aces by both players combined, or
• The total number of aces by a specific player (often called “Player A Total Aces in 1st Set”).

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Example 1 – Combined Total Aces Market

Bet Type: 1st Set – Total Aces (Over/Under)

Example Match:
Novak Djokovic vs Alexander Zverev

Bet Option:

• Over 6.5 aces in the 1st set (combined total)
• Under 6.5 aces in the 1st set (combined total)

How It Works:

• If Djokovic serves 3 aces and Zverev serves 5 aces in the first set → total = 8 aces.
  Over 6.5 wins
• If the total is 6 or fewer →
   Under 6.5 wins

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Example 2 – Player-Specific Market

Bet Type: 1st Set – Player A Total Aces

Example Match:
Nick Kyrgios vs Casper Ruud

Bet Option:

• Kyrgios Over 4.5 aces in the 1st set
• Kyrgios Under 4.5 aces in the 1st set

How It Works:

• If Kyrgios serves 5 or more aces in the first set → Over 4.5 wins.
• If he serves 4 or fewer → Under 4.5 wins.

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Factors That Influence Total Aces in 1st Set

1. Playing Style:
   • Big servers (like Isner, Opelka, Kyrgios, Hurkacz) hit more aces.
   • Baseline grinders (like Schwartzman, Alcaraz) hit fewer aces.
2. Court Surface:
   • Grass: Faster, more aces (e.g., Wimbledon).
   • Hard Court: Moderate ace rate.
   • Clay: Slower, fewer aces.
3. Conditions:
   • Indoor courts (no wind) often mean more aces.
   • Outdoor windy conditions can reduce ace count.
4. Match-Ups:
   • Opponent’s return ability matters.
     Example: Facing Djokovic (a great returner) → fewer aces.
     Facing a poor returner → more aces.
5. First Set Trends:
   • Players often serve strongly early before fatigue sets in, so ace counts may peak early.

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Example Breakdown

Match: Hubert Hurkacz vs Carlos Alcaraz
Market: 1st Set – Total Aces (Over/Under 5.5)

• Hurkacz averages 7 aces per set on fast courts.
• Alcaraz averages 2.
• Hurkacz serves first and plays on indoor hard court.
•  Prediction: Expect 6–8 aces in 1st set →
• “Over 5.5 Total Aces” is a good value.

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Expert Betting Tips

1. Check Serve Stats:
   • Look at player’s average aces per set (ATP/WTA stats).
   • Example: Zverev ~5 aces per set on hard courts.
2. Use Head-to-Head Data:
   • If past meetings had many aces in early sets → positive indicator for “Over”.
3. Surface Awareness:
   • Back “Over” on grass/hard courts, “Under” on clay.
4. Live Betting Opportunity:
   • If both players hold easily early (no break chances), aces are likely → consider “Over”.
5. Avoid Overvaluing Big Names:
   • Even stars like Djokovic don’t always hit many aces — check current form, not reputation.

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Example Betting Scenario

Match: Matteo Berrettini vs Daniil Medvedev
Market: 1st Set – Total Aces Over/Under 8.5

• Berrettini average: 6 aces/set
• Medvedev average: 4 aces/set
• Surface: Grass (fast)
• Past H2H: 1st set had 9, 7, and 10 aces.

Smart Play: Over 8.5 total aces – high serving potential early.

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Summary Table

Factor	Effect on Aces
Big server	Increases
Grass/Indoor court	Increases
Clay surface	Decreases
Great return opponent	Decreases
Serving first	Slightly increases
1st set freshness	Usually increases

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