First-round matchups commence on Monday at the WTA Rome Open with 12 intriguing matches scheduled across the grounds of the Foro Italico. Let’s take a closer look at some of the potential best bets of the day in Rome.
WTA Rome Day 1 Best Bets
Kaja Juvan vs Yulia Putintseva
A first round matchup between a pair of qualifiers as Kaja Juvan takes on Yulia Putintseva. I like Putintseva is this matchup on a traditional red clay court. Juvan is more dangerous on a quicker surface and is unlikely to enjoy a matchup with Putintseva in these conditions. Putintseva overcame a slow start to ease past Juvan when they met in Belgrade on clay last year, Putintseva dropped just 3 games in the second and third sets on that occasion. Juvan task in this matchup on clay court is very difficult, one I don’t think she is capable of executing over an entire match. Putintseva should be too solid.
Recommended Selections:
Yulia Putintseva ML – 2 units @ -203
Anhelina Kalinina vs Madison Keys
Anhelina Kalinina looks highly likely to be too solid for Madison Keys in their opening round clash in Rome. Kalinina recently defeated Keys in Miami, a three-set victory for the Ukrainian. The pair have been in contrasting form of late. Kalinina is coming off the best result of her career as she reached the quarterfinals in Madrid. Conversely, Keys has struggled since the Australian Open and is unlikely to suddenly find her game on the red clay, the surface her game is least effective on. Kalinina is generally the more solid of the two in these conditions, in far better form and has the head-to-head edge. All signs pointing to a Kalinina win.
Recommended Selections:
Anhelina Kalinina ML – 1.5 units @ -116
Camila Giorgi vs Ajla Tomljanovic
I’m not sure why Camila Giorgi is such a clear favourite here against Ajla Tomljanovic. The Italian is in horrible form having not won a single match since the Australian Open. Granted Giorgi won both previous meetings between the pair, but that doesn’t really mean much heading into their first matchup on clay. Neither player is known for their clay court prowess, making this a very winnable matchup for both. I can see value with Tomljanovic, there’s a good chance that Giorgi is going to throw in another erratic performance and Tomljanovic is solid enough in these conditions to take advantage. Night matches in Rome mean heavy conditions, not exactly favourite for Giorgi’s style of play. I’d rate Tomljanovic as the slight favourite, value with the Aussie.
Recommended Selections:
Ajla Tomljanovic ML – 1.5 units @ +141
Recommended selections are based on a 5-unit betting system where 1 unit is a minimum stake, and 5 units are the maximum stake.
This article is intended for entertainment purposes only. LWOS makes no guarantees that the picks will win. Only gamble where it is legal to do so, and only amounts you can afford to lose. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
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