LWOS is back with more in our best bets series. Here are my best bets for the WTA Nottingham Open. The action for Nottingham was a bit more competitive than the action in Berlin. Tell me in the comments if you agree with my picks.
French Open
Kartal – Boulter: Time 14:00
H2H: 0-1
While Katie Boulter has been speaking out against the disgusting nature of social media for female tennis stars off the court, she’s been tearing up her competition on the court. Boulter only had two losses in her last ten matches, but she also had a tournament victory at the WTA Paris Open and another solid showing at the Queen’s Club. Sonay Kartal has been bouncing back and forth between wins and losses, and this is not the match to have whilst in that form. Kartal hasn’t had a decent showing since Indian Wells, while Boulter is a two-time defending champion right here in Nottingham.
Best Bet to Make
I’m honestly rather surprised by the line on this one. Kartal is not playing her best right now, but Boulter is on an absolute tear in addition to having won the event last year and the year before. Whether you’re thinking Boulter by the correct score or straight-up, you can get tremendous value either way. I’m a fan of straight up at 1.8, since their only other match went three sets. That match was in the ITF and was back in 2023, so your mileage may vary on how critical that match is to your betting analysis. I personally think Boulter is in a great place to pick up her third title in a row at Nottingham.
That being said, Boulter winning is a value bet for sure.
Value bet/ the best odds: Boulter winning @1.8 @Betway
Blinkova – Tauson: Time 15:30
H2H: 1-2
Both Anna Blinkova and Clara Tauson are playing at Nottingham for the first time in their careers, and neither lady is what you would call a grass guru. While Blinkova hasn’t won a tournament since 2023, Tauson was in a final at Dubai and won the first tournament of the new year in Auckland. Blinkova enters this match at 6-4 in her last ten matches, and Tauson enters at 5-5 in hers. Tauson also lost the only match she’s ever played against Tauson on grass at Bad Homburg in 2021, but the match did go three sets.
Best Bet to Make
I’m a bit surprised that Tauson is as much of a favorite as the books have her. She’s really been struggling since Dubai, and it’s hard not to look at the experience Blinkova has on grass as an advantage, even if she’s 26-25 all-time on the surface. Tauson is 3-7, so that 26-25 is looking pretty good right now, isn’t it? I’m rolling with Blinkova on this one, and you’re absolutely welcome to go against me, but it’s hard for me to be terribly confident in Tauson right now. She’s not playing well enough, and grass is easily her worst playing surface.
That being said, Blinkova winning is a value bet for sure.
Value bet/ the best odds: Blinkova winning @2.75 @Betway
Fernandez – Yastremska: Time 11:00
H2H: 2-0
Leylah Fernandez has never lost to Dayana Yastremska in two previous matches, but she will find herself the underdog in this match anyhow. Fernandez enters in poor overall form, but she is on a two-match winning streak at Nottingham. Yastremska is also on a two-match winning streak, but she is in better overall form. Both ladies can play on grass, but it’s not their preferred surface. While Yastremska has played at Nottingham in 2017 and 2023, she’s never made it past the first round before this year.
Best Bet to Make
I totally understand why Fernandez is the underdog coming into this match. She’s 4-6 in her last ten matches, and that’s not going to give the books confidence. With that said, she’s beaten Yastremska every time they’ve played, even if both matches went three sets. Yastremska might be 4-1 in her last five, but she hasn’t won a main tournament since 2019. At least Fernandez won in Hong Kong back in 2023. I’m going to roll with Yastremska in this match, but I’m not overly confident in her winning. I genuinely think Fernandez will come out on top.
That being said, Yastremska winning is a value bet for sure.
Value bet/ the best odds: Yastremska winning @1.83 @bet-at-home
Main Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-USA TODAY Sports
