The WTA action in Asia continues at the WTA Beijing. The 2024 iteration of this event saw Coco Gauff beat Karolina Muchova in straight sets to win the tournament. Gauff is the No. 2 seed this year. Iga Swiatek is the top seed, but the field is absolutely loaded with top players. These are my best bets. Please share your thoughts in the comment section.
WTA Beijing
Tomljanovic – Starodubtseva: Time 05:00
H2H: 0-0
Ajla Tomljanovic and Yulia Starodubtseva have never met before Beijing, but the Australian and the Ukrainian both occupy similar territory in the world rankings. Both women are struggling in play right now, both have overall records below .500, and both could badly use a victory. Tomljanovic is 20-21 overall, and she’s riding a three-match losing streak. Starodubtseva is 20-27, and she’s currently on a four-match losing streak. Tomljanovic is also 3-7 in her last ten matches, but Starodubtseva is 5-5 in hers, including the four-match losing streak.
Best Bet to Make
Given all the information above, you will be interested to learn that Tomljanovic is the favorite in this match according to most books. Tomljanovic is the favorite by about .60 points. I assume that the books see Tomljanovic’s 227-181 overall record on a hardcourt as extremely favorable when it’s compared to Starodubtseva’s 62-40 record on a hardcourt. Starodubtseva is 7-13, and Tomljanovic is 7-9 on the surface this year. Personally, I like under 2.5 sets at 1.55 on 10Bet more than picking either of these women straight up.
That being said, Under 2.5 sets is a value bet for sure.
Value bet/ the best odds: Under 2.5 sets @1.55 @10Bet
Linette – Andreescu: Time 05:00
H2H: 0-0
Magda Linette enters the China Open as a cagey veteran, taking on the younger Bianca Andreescu. This will be their first meeting, and neither woman has played much this year. This is only the 21st match for Andreescu, and Linette is only 21-22 herself, having spent much of the year injured. Her most recent injury was on September 10th. Andreescu has also been injured since July 29th, and this is her first tournament back.
Best Bet to Make
The books have Andreescu as the favorite. Linette had been playing decently, just not with any great consistency. This year, she has had one semifinal and three quarterfinal appearances, but Andreescu had only seen one before her injury. Linette’s overall record on a hardcourt is 233-190 compared to Andreescu’s 125-52, and it would seem that books value this highly. Andreescu also has the added benefit of having been in the quarterfinals of this tournament back in 2019. Linette has yet to make it past the round of 16. Andreescu wins, but I think Linette puts up a fight.
That being said, Andreescu winning is a value bet for sure.
Value bet/the best odds: Andreescu winning @1.77 @Unibet
Boulter – Baptiste: Time 05:00
H2H: 3-0
Hailey Baptiste and Katie Boulter have a small history, but it’s not one that Baptiste looks back on fondly. All three of Boulter’s wins came on a hardcourt, and the last one was back in 2023. Baptiste has certainly improved her game since then, but has she reached the level of Boulter at her best? Baptiste has had a Jekyll and Hyde year on a hardcourt, starting well, but slowly losing pace. Boulter has been trying to turn her play around, as well, as she hasn’t been in a final since WTA Paris.
Best Bet to Make
While most of the books have Boulter as the favorite, they see Baptiste as a close underdog. I’m not sure if I am there with them. Boulter might be struggling right now, but Baptiste isn’t playing so well that I think the challenge is beyond her. Between the two of them, they are 7-13 in their last ten matches, so neither lady is playing at her best. This is another match where I would feel more comfortable with a prop bet than picking someone straight up. Give me under 21.5 games.
That being said, Under 21.5 games is a value bet for sure.
Value bet/ the best odds: Under 21.5 games @2.0 @1xBet
Main Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
