The action at WTA Abu Dhabi continues with more first-round action. LWOS is back with the best bets for more 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
Tjen – Joint: Time 00:30
H2H: 0-0
Janice Tjen vs Maya Joint is an exciting match of two of the brightest young players in women’s tennis. Tjen was a one-woman wrecking crew in 2025, going 75-15 and winning eight titles! Two of the eight titles were WTA tournaments. Joint slightly regressed in 2025, but only by a total of eight wins. Joint went 62-28 in 2024 and 54-28 in 2025.
Best Bet to Make
The books have Tjen as an ever-so-slight favorite or have the match as a tie. Tjen is coming off an impressive year, no doubt, but she’s still playing at the ITF level while Joint plays WTA events exclusively. I think Joint is more likely to win, but I won’t be shocked if it goes the other way. It’s too difficult to pass up Joint straight up at 2.08 on Pinnacle.
That being said, Joint winning is a value bet for sure.
Value bet/the best odds: Joint winning @2.08 @Pinnacle
Kasatkina – Waltert: Time 00:30
H2H: 0-0
Darya Kasatkina vs Simona Waltert should be one heck of a match. Waltert is off to a 5-4 start in 2026, including a quarterfinal showing at WTA Canberra. Kasatkina is 1-3 in 2026, with her only victory coming against Maria Sakkari in the first round of WTA Adelaide. Neither lady has managed to build momentum in 2025, so what happens when floundering meets barely above water?
Best Bet to Make
Kasatkina is the favorite to win this match. Waltert doesn’t play in many hardcourt matches, and barely pushes .500 when she does. You have to go all the way back to 2019 to find a truly great hardcourt showing. Waltert was 25-9 that year, and she’s never even cracked 14 wins in a year since then. Kasatkina straight for 1.67 on bwin is solid enough for me in a match like this.
That being said, Kasatkina winning is a value bet for sure.
Value bet/the best odds: Kasatkina winning @1.67 @bwin
Yastremska – Haddad Maia: Time 02:00
H2H: 0-0
Dayana Yastremska vs Beatriz Haddad Maia is our featured match. This is a first encounter for both players, and it should be the match of the day. Haddad Maia is an impressive 226-126 on a hardcourt, while Yastremska is only 115-96. Haddad Maia is 0-2 in 2026, and Yastremska is 2-3 with wins over Leylah Fernandez and Talia Gibson.
Best Bet to Make
Somehow, someway, Yastremska is a 2-1 favorite. I think I like Haddad Maia in this match, even though she’s struggled to start the year. She’s a two-time semifinalist right here in Abu Dhabi, and she’s fundamentally the better hardcourt player. She’s won more matches on a hardcourt than Yastremska has played on one. For 2.44 on Betfair, Haddad Maia is the steal of the round.
That being said, Haddad Maia winning is a value bet for sure.
Value bet/the best odds: Haddad Maia winning @2.44 @Betfair
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke–USA TODAY Sports
