The Rouen tournament is the smaller WTA tournament this week. The main event is in Stuttgart, where there are more points and larger payouts. Rouen is an event where struggling or lower-ranked players try to build form and win matches against second-tier competition, with Madrid’s two-week tournament not far away. Let’s look at some of the first-round matches as Rouen rolls into action on Monday:
WTA Rouen
Rajaonah – Cristian: 01:00
H2H: 1-0
Tiantsoa Sarah “Titi” Rakotomanga Rajaonah plays Jaqueline Cristian. The two players have met only once before. So in many of these situations with a small sample size, it’s easy to ignore the result. However, Rajaonah beat Cristian at Rouen last year, and she did so very easily, winning 6-2, 6-3. That is certainly worth considering. Is it enough to recommend picking Rajaonah, though? I still see Cristian as the smarter player.
Best Bet to Make
Rajaonah outclassed Cristian a year ago, but Cristian is a top-35 player who is roughly 100 ranking spots better than her opponent. It does not seem likely that Cristian will have a really bad day two years in a row against the same opponent in the same tournament. If nothing else, petty revenge should be enough for Cristian to take this match with the seriousness it demands after losing the year before. Cristian should win this 2:0, and you can grab that at 1.52 on 1xBet. It’s about as good as you’re getting on this match.
That being said, Cristian 2:0 is a value bet for sure.
Value bet/ the best odds: Cristian 2:0 @1.52 @1xBet
Timofeeva – Boulter: 10:30
H2H: 0-0
Maria Timofeeva meets Katie Boulter. Originally, Boulter was scheduled to play Elsa Jacquemot, but Marketa Vondrousova’s withdrawal reshaped the field and put Boulter against Timofeeva, a lucky loser who now gets a shot in the main draw. Boulter is ranked nearly 90 spots ahead of Timofeeva. Will Timofeeva — playing with nothing to lose after being fortunate enough to make the main draw – be inspired to play at a higher level?
Best Bet to Make
The match has to be viewed as Boulter’s to lose. You won’t get an amazing return for a Boulter win, so you will have to go with set or game spreads. No price has been listed yet for set bets on the Asian handicap, but with a Boulter match victory being priced close to 1.50, Boulter -1.5 sets should get decent value, and Boulter will likely be able to win this match without needing a third set.
That being said, Boulter -1.5 sets is a value bet for sure.
Value bet/ the best odds: Boulter -1.5 sets, price not yet listed
Maria – Jacquemot: 01:00
H2H: 0-1
Tatiana Maria plays Elsa Jacquemot. This match was not originally scheduled, but Marketa Vondrousova’s withdrawal from the tournament before the main draw began play created an adjustment of the first set of matches. This is one. The two players’ world rankings are very close — two spots from each other — but they aren’t playing at the same level. Will anything change in this match? That’s the question.
Best Bet to Make
Tatiana Maria has lost nine of her last 10 matches. That’s a lot of losing and a lot of negativity for an older athlete whose days as a regular professional tennis player are likely numbered. It’s really hard to bet on Maria doing something positive. Jacquemot hasn’t been spectacular, but compared to Maria, she has certainly been better. Yet, if you don’t trust Jacquemot to win in straight sets, a game spread play makes sense.
That being said, Jacquemot -3.5 games is a value bet for sure.
Value bet/ the best odds: Jacquemot -3.5 games @1.80 @Bet365
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-Imagn Images
