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 Round of 16 matches on the card:
WTA Rouen
Rakhimova – Li: Time 13:00
H2H: 1-3
Kamilla Rakhimova meets Ann Li for the fifth time in her career. Both players advanced to this round with opening-round match victories. Rakhimova defeated Elvina Kalieva, while Li held off Daria Kasatkina in a tough three-set match. Li defeated a tougher opponent than Rakhimova faced. That said, Li had to work a lot harder for her match victory than Rakhimova did, possibly leaving her spent for this match.
Best Bet to Make
The fact that Li had to work harder for her first-round match win is probably not going to matter in this battle with Rakhimova. Li played only one match last week in Linz, so she did not play too much and came to Rouen relatively rested. One longer match isn’t going to hurt her. Li has also seen better competition than Rakhimova. Li should be able to take control of this match, which means she should be able to cover a small game spread.
That being said, Li -2.5 games is a value bet for sure.
Value bet/ the best odds: Li -2.5 games @1.79 @unibet
Kostyuk – McNally: Time 17:30
H2H: 0-0
Marta Kostyuk faces Caty McNally for the first time in her career. Kostyuk, the No. 1 seed at the tournament, dominated Diane Parry in her first-round match victory. Kostyuk looked like the top-30 WTA player she is and got off to a strong start. McNally decisively lost the first set against Katie Volynets but then stormed back to win the last two sets. McNally moved to 5-0 all-time against Volynets, in a matchup she clearly likes.
Best Bet to Make
The smart bet here is on a convincing Kostyuk win. McNally is not an elite player on clay. She ran into a favorable matchup against Volynets, a player she is always able to beat. Now, against Kostyuk, it is highly unlikely McNally will find a way to win. She probably won’t even win one set, let alone two. Kostyuk should be able to take charge of the match and remain in control.
That being said, Kostyuk 2:0 is a value bet for sure.
Value bet/ the best odds: Kostyuk 2:0 @1.83 @bet365
Cocciaretto – Podrez: 01:00
H2H: 0-0
Elisabetta Cocciaretto and Veronika Podrez will meet for the first time in their careers, too. Cocciaretto had a sluggish opening-round match, but she was able to get past Alina Charaeva in three sets. Cocciaretto will aim to produce a much more efficient match in the Round of 16. Veronika Podrez shocked everyone with a very easy, very lopsided win over Sloane Stephens. For context, Podrez beat Stephens much more easily than WTA top-10 player Mirra Andreeva did last week in Linz.
Best Bet to Make
Cocciaretto might have been a little sluggish in her first match following the Billie Jean King Cup over the weekend. Expect a better, sharper performance from her. Podrez has been playing well in Rouen, having won some qualifying matches before her big win against Sloane Stephens, but Sloane Stephens is known for not showing up in some matches. Cocciaretto is a far better and tougher player who will win without too much drama. I like Cocciaretto -4.5 games at 1.7 on Betway.
That being said, Cocciaretto -4.5 games is a value bet for sure.
Value bet/ the best odds: Cocciaretto -4.5 games @1.70 @Betway
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
