The action at WTA Abu Dhabi continues with more first-round action. LWOS is back with the best bets for more early first-round matches. Let us know whether or not you agree with our picks. Please also share your best bets in the comments section.
WTA Abu Dhabi
Kartal – Bucsa: Time 23:00
H2H: 0-0
Sonay Kartal vs Cristina Bucsa will be a first-time meeting between the two top 75 players in the World. Kartal is 4-2 this year so far, with losses to Anna Kalinskaya and Elina Svitolina. Bucsa is 1-2 on the year, but her two losses were to Svitolina and Aryna Sabalenka, so she does get somewhat of a pass. That said, she did have to fight tooth and nail to beat Anna Bondar at WTA Brisbane.
Best Bet to Make
The books have Kartal as a 2-1 favorite, and I think this is pretty fair. You can grab Kartal straight up at 1.5 on at least five different sites. If you believe that Kartal is going to dump Bucsa out in straight sets, then I would definitely take Kartal 2:0 for 2.25 on bet365. That would be my pick.
That being said, Kartal winning 2:0 is a value bet for sure.
Value bet/the best odds: Kartal winning 2:0 @2.25 @bet365
Krueger – Bejlek: Time 23:00
H2H: 2-1
Ashlyn Krueger will take on Sara Bejlek for the fourth time in her career. Krueger has a 2-1 lead in the series, which included a first-round match at the WTA Australian Open a couple of weeks ago. Krueger seems to win when their match is on a hardcourt, where Bejlek took their only clay court match in 2024 at WTA Madrid. Bejlek is 3-2 in ’26, and Krueger is 1-3.
Best Bet to Make
Even though Krueger is only 1-3 on the year, the books still have her as the favorite in this match. I’m going to speculate that a large reason for that is that she’s the more experienced player on hardcourt. Krueger also didn’t have much trouble with Bejlek in Australia, winning in straight sets. Take Krueger straight for 1.74 on Betfair or Krueger 2:0 for 2.63 on bet365. I’d be inclined to take the latter.
That being said, Krueger winning 2:0 is a value bet for sure.
Value bet/the best odds: Krueger winning 2:0 @2.63 @bet365
Badosa – Sasnovich: Time 23:00
H2H: 1-2
Paula Badosa vs Aliaksandra Sasnovich is our featured match. This will be the third meeting between the two, with the series tied up at 1-1. The last time they played was in 2022 at WTA Rome, which Badosa won. Their only hardcourt match took place at the 2015 US Open qualifiers, and Sasnovich won in three sets. Badosa is 2-3 this year, while Sasnovich is 8-3 so far.
Best Bet to Make
Even though she has six more wins in 2026 than Badosa, Sasnovich is the underdog in this match. If you think Sasnovich is going to win this match, I would take her straight up for 3.0 on bet365. In fact, that would be my best bet for either competitor because the value is so good.
That being said, Sasnovich winning is a value bet for sure.
Value bet/the best odds: Sasnovich winning @3.0 @bet365
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey–USA TODAY Sports
