The WTA Hamburg tournament moves into the semifinals on Saturday. No. 1 seed Oleksandra Oliynykova was the only one of the eight quarterfinalists who was in the WTA top 50 entering Friday’s action. Oliynykova, however, had to withdraw from the tournament before her quarterfinal on Friday. The WTA Hamburg event has seen some lower-ranked players move upward, notably Mayar Sherif, a semifinalist who is currently a live No. 48 with a chance to rise even higher over the weekend. Tamara Korpatsch has risen to a new career-high ranking. Anna Bondar has moved up to No. 85 in the live rankings by making the semifinals. Let’s see which players will rise even higher in the coming days. LWOS has our best bets for two matches. Post your best bets and thoughts in the comments.
WTA Hamburg
Sherif – Korpatsch: 9:30 EST
H2H: 1-2
This WTA Hamburg match features two players who have overachieved at this week’s tournament. Mayar Sherif upset Paula Badosa in the quarterfinals to add to her large number of clay wins this year. Sherif is 32-11 in 43 clay tennis matches in 2026. A lot of them have come in smaller clay tournaments, but wins are still wins, and Sherif continues to show how good she can be on this surface. She is now in the live WTA top 50 as a result. Her opponent, Tamara Korpatsch, also pulled an upset in her most recent match. She defeated second-seeded Anhelina Kalinina in a tough battle. Korpatch has won two consecutive three-set matches to reach the semifinals. She has lifted herself to a new career high of World No. 69, surpassing her previous high of No. 71.
Best Bet to Make
Two players are playing well and have scored some upsets this week. Sherif beat Badosa. Korpatsch beat Kalinina. These players are confident, hungry, and are showing how competitive they can be. Sherif might be the overall favorite, meaning that you could put some action on her winning, but in terms of our main recommended standalone wager, the bet to go for is over 2.5 sets. Both players are scrappy and tough. If one wins the first set, the other isn’t likely to fade away and will instead make a big push in the second set. The chances of this match going three are good, so over 2.5 sets is the play to make. Also consider that these players played a three-set match in Rome earlier this year. It went 7-6 to Korpatsch in the third set. That might be the best reason to go with over 2.5 sets.
That being said, betting on over 2.5 sets is a value bet for sure.
Value bet/ the best odds: over 2.5 sets at 2.44 @betsson
Avanesyan – Bondar: 8:00 EST
H2H: 1-1
This WTA Hamburg match features one key detail: One of the players got to the semifinals not by winning a match, but by getting a walkover. Oleksandra Oliynykova was not able to take the court for her quarterfinal match, so Elina Avanesyan advanced to the semifinals without hitting a ball. When an in-form player such as Avanesyan suddenly has her rhythm interrupted, does that hurt her for the next match she plays at a tournament, or is it a good thing to not have to play a match, leaving her physically refreshed for her next match? That’s something tennis bettors will need to think about. Avanesyan has won over 25 clay tennis matches this year. She’s a good clay player right now. Anna Bondar beat Alina Charaeva in straight sets in the quarterfinals, so she is playing good tennis herself. This does not figure to be an easy match on either side.
Best Bet to Make
The WTA Hamburg semifinal is not an easy one to call. We thought Oliynykova would beat Avanesyan. We never got to see that match play out, so it’s not as though Avanesyan passed a test. Our view of her was neither proved nor disproved. It remains uncertain whether she is ready to beat a higher-ranked player. We’re going to go with Bondar. Straight moneyline is just slightly under the price point where we recommend a best bet. You can get her on a small game spread for a slightly higher price.
That being said, betting on Bondar -1.5 games is a value bet for sure.
Value bet/ the best odds: Bondar -1.5 games @1.62 @Unibet
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
