Tuesday 5 January 2021

WTA ABU DHABI (6th January 2021)


WTA ABU DHABI 

It is the first tournament of the new season so stakes should be kept fairly small as no one is sure as to how players have been and what sort of form they will be in once they get on court but the upsides is that is also factored in the prices as we see Sabalenka the favourite at a widely available 7-1 while if she hits form she could easily run through this field she is also wildly unpredictable so not worth the risk. Kenin is second favourite around the 9-1 and she is more likely to give her true running as she is more consistent and I expect her to go close to the title here but again with no form to go on the price is a little skinny. I want to look a little further down the list and the one who stands out is Pavluchenkova who is more than happy on hard courts, strikes the ball powerfully well and I have. Feeling the early part of the season could be time to catch her as she can have slight issues with fitness as the season wears on and being available at 70-1 I think she is worth a punt on the outright market. Karolina Pliskova is a consistent and I expect her to mop up just below the Grand Slam level and also going to take her at 9-1 as her serve if working will prove problematic to all players.

On the individual games again it is tough as we have no form to go on but I am taking a couple matches that are of interest. 

Kudermetova to beat Kontaveit @ 6-5 

Kudermetova leads the head to head 2-0 winning both matches in straight sets one on grass and one on hard courts. Bot have very similar records on hard courts. Kudermetova 116-73 compared to Kontaveit 128-76. Kontaveit is a player that hits the ball flat, hard and very attacking and if she hits form then she looks a great player but she is prone to making a lot of unforced errors and I am happy to take her on at the price.

Potapova to beat Sakkari @ 11-4 

Potapova is the junior Wimbledon champ of 2016 and I expect her to make great strides this season and possibly mark a mark at Wimbledon this year, She leads the head to head 1-0 and is too big a price here against a consistent but limited opponent.

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