Professional tennis matches are all over Asia as the WTA Osaka Open is running at the same time as WTA Ningbo, with both tournaments entering the quarterfinals. Whether you’re betting on the matches in Japan or in China, Last Word on Tennis has you covered. For now, we’re looking at the action in Osaka. Here are my picks for the quarterfinal matches. Please share your thoughts in the comment section.
WTA Osaka Open
Golubic – Cirstea: Time 07:30
H2H: 0-1
Viktorija Golubic vs Sorana-Mihaela Cirstea opens up our coverage at Osaka. The two previous met for their only match back in 2023 in the first round at WTA Adelaide. Cirstea took that match in straight sets, but the second set was a slobberknocker; Cirstea won a tiebreak. Golubic is on an absolute tear right now, winning her last seven matches, including the final against Katie Volynets in Suzhou right before Osaka. She has only two losses in her last ten matches. Cirstea has been trading wins and losses right up until Osaka. She’s 6-4 in her last ten. Both ladies have won a hardcourt tournament fairly recently. Cirstea won hers at WTA Cleveland at the end of August, and Golubic won the aforementioned tournament in Suzhou.
Best Bet to Make
The books have Golubic as the underdog, and I’m beyond baffled. I’ve already mentioned her winning streak, but that only tells half the story, in my opinion. In her last ten matches, six have gone all three sets. While some might view that as a negative, I see it as a positive, given that she’s only lost one of those matches. It shows her ability to dig deep and produce when the pressure is on. In fact, she’s won three straight matches that have gone all three sets, and they all came against quality talent. I don’t think that Cirstea is going to apply the same pressure to Golubic that the others have, and she should cruise to an easy victory.
That being said, Golubic winning 2:0 is a value bet for sure.
Value bet/the best odds: Golubic winning 2:0 @2.30 @Interwetten
Sramkova – Fernandez: Time 09:00
H2H: 0-0
Rebecca Sramkova versus Leylah Fernandez is our featured match. Fernandez enters at 27-23 overall, 21-14 on a hardcourt, and 6-4 in her last ten matches. She also recently won her first tournament in ’25 at WTA Washington near the end of July. Rebecca Sramkova is 22-26 overall, 13-16 on a hardcourt, and 6-4 in her last ten matches. She has yet to win a title in ’25. The two met earlier this year for the first time in the round of 16 at WTA Monterrey. Sramkova won a three-round slugfest that saw both players dominate for periods of the match.
Best Bet to Make
The books have Fernandez as the favorite. I personally think this match is ripe for a prop bet and would be leaning toward the over/under on 21.5 games. I think it’s going to hit the over, as both players seem capable of holding serve. By virtue of the match going three rounds, I think the total eventually gets hit, even if their match plays out exactly like their last match. It’s an easy way to cash out at a higher rate than you’d obtain by betting on Fernandez. Of course, if you’re feeling especially spry, you can pick Sramkova outright at 3.1 on William Hill. That’s too rich for my blood, though.
That being said, Over 21.5 games is a value bet for sure.
Value bet/the best odds: Over 21.5 games @1.95 @1xBet
Main Photo Credit: David Kirouac-USA TODAY Sports
