The WTA French Open women’s qualifying action continues. There are 128 spots in the main draw, and a lot of competition for the final places in that draw after the direct qualifiers. Playing in the first round of a major tournament is a given for the stars of tennis, but for the players ranked outside the top 100, it is often a career highlight and a very memorable moment. Let’s see which players rise or fall under the pressure of major tournament qualifying. LWOS has our best bets for three matches. Post your best bets and thoughts in the comments.
WTA French Open qualifying
Vidmanova – Gao: Time 15:00 EST
H2H: 0-0
Darja Vidmanova takes on Xinyu Gao. Vidmanova is ranked World No. 104, Gao 227. Vidmanova has six clay match wins in 2026, Gao two. Vidmanova has played 12 clay matches this year, Gao only four. Vidmanova is 3-2 in her last five matches, Gao 2-3 in her last five. Gao is on a three-match losing streak entering this match.
Best Bet to Make
When you look a little deeper at these two players’ relatively recent matches, Vidmanova made the Madrid qualifying rounds. She didn’t win a match, but she at least got a taste of a higher-profile tournament and tougher competition. Gao doesn’t have that on her 2026 clay resume. Vidmanova’s form isn’t dramatically better than Gao’s, but it is slightly better. Combined with the reality that she has played slightly better competition, that’s enough to recommend a straight-set bet on Vidmanova.
That being said, betting on Vidmanova winning 2:0 is a value bet for sure.
Value bet/ the best odds: Vidmanova winning 2:0 @1.76 @Unibet
Kokkinis – Hunter: Time 16:30 EST
H2H: 0–0
Tahlia Kokkinis takes on Storm Hunter. Kokkinis is ranked World No. 491, Hunter 193. Neither player has played much on clay in 2026, both with only four matches apiece, so the clay data doesn’t offer any meaningful element of differentiation between the two players. Kokkinis is 2-3 in her last five matches, Hunter 1-4 in her last five. However, Kokkinis has played only one match since March 17, while Hunter maintained a regular schedule in April and into early May.
Best Bet to Make
Hunter is not in good form entering this match, but neither is Kokkinis. Hunter is ranked a lot higher and has had more match play going into the French Open qualifying tournament. Kokkinis, having just one match in the past two months, does not put her in a good position to win or keep the match especially close. Hunter should be able to cover a medium-size game spread.
That being said, betting on Hunter -5.5 games is a value bet for sure.
Value bet/ the best odds: Hunter -5.5 games @2.05 @bwin
Burillo Escorihuela – Tomova: Time 16:30 EST
H2H: 0–3
Irene Burillo Escorihuela takes on Viktoriya Tomova. Burillo Escorihuela is ranked World No. 228, Tomova No. 161. However, while Tomova is the much-higher-ranked player, Burillo Escorihuela has 10 clay match wins in 2026 while Tomova has only four. Both players are 1-4 in their last five matches, but whereas Burillo Escorihuela has played just ITF challengers, Tomova has played Stuttgart and Madrid, the higher-level tournaments from the past few weeks of the European spring swing.
Best Bet to Make
Burillo Escorihuela’s clay match wins in 2026 could offer reason to take the lower-ranked player, but the fact that Tomova has a 3-0 head-to-head record, combined with tougher match competition at bigger tournaments in recent weeks, makes her the clearly better choice here. If the two players had never met, maybe Burillo Escorihuela’s comfort level on clay would be more of a factor. However, Tomova knows what her opponent will do and has shown she knows how to beat her. Tomova in straight sets is the play.
That being said, betting on Tomova winning 2:0 is a value bet for sure.
Value bet/ the best odds: Tomova winning 2:0 @1.83 @1xBet
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
