WTA Beijing
Siegemund – McNally: Time 05:00
H2H: 1-0
The only previous match between Laura Siegemund and Caty McNally was back in 2020 in the first round at WTA Auckland. Seigemund took that match in straight sets. Both women are 6-4 entering this match, and both are coming off a first-round loss at WTA Seoul, but Seigemund is riding a two-match losing streak. McNally has two tournament victories on the year, but both of them were lower-level events. McNally also has the better hardcourt record on the year at 17-8 compared to Siegemund’s 12-12 record.
Best Bet to Make
The books have McNally as the favorite, and you won’t find me saying otherwise. McNally is young and still putting together the best version of herself that she can muster. By contrast, Siegemund is on the back end of her career at 37. Not only is Siegemund having an average year overall at 20-20, but McNally is having a really great year at 42-17. Winning at the ITF level is fantastic, but this McNally’s chance to show everyone that she’s ready to take that next step.
That being said, McNally winning is a value bet for sure.
Value bet/ the best odds: McNally winning @1.63 @Unibet
Bronzetti – Rakhimova: Time 05:00
H2H: 0-0
Lucia Bronzetti and Kamilla Rakhimova will meet for the first time in their careers at WTA Beijing. Both the Italian and the Russian are having poor years, with more losses than wins in their overall records. Both ladies are also having a poor year on a hardcourt. Rakhimova is having a slightly worse year at 10-16 compared to Bronzetti’s 9-11. The round of 16 is the furthest either one of these ladies has gone in a hardcourt tournament this year, and it’s only happened once for each woman. This is a matchup of two people in desperate need of a turnaround.
Best Bet to Make
Rakhimova is the favorite in this match, even though she’s having a worse overall year. I don’t have a problem with the books picking her, as I really feel like this match is close to a pick-em, but not quite there. When you look at the futility of both competitors, you might think a coin flip would be more productive here, but a brief deep dive shows that Rakhimova might have a bit more at her disposal. Furthermore, o/u prop bets don’t have the same payout, and the correct score odds for this match are a bit too rich for my blood. I think going with Rakhimova straight up is the easier path, but you’re welcome to disagree.
That being said, Rakhimova winning is a value bet for sure.
Value bet/the best odds: Rakhimova winning @1.75 @Interwetten
Krueger – Sakkari: Time 05:00
H2H: 0-0
Ashlyn Krueger and Maria Sakkari will meet for the first time in China in what is sure to be a highly competitive match. Both ladies enter this match riding a two-match losing streak and having a poor overall year. Sakkari is having a slightly worse year at 22-26, while Krueger is at least above .500 at 24-23. The good news for Krueger ends there because she is 3-7 in her last ten, but Sakkari has one more win to make her 4-6 in her last ten. Sakkari also has a mountain of experience on a hardcourt at 251-175 for her career. Krueger is only 108-80 by comparison.
Best Bet to Make
The odds pretty much see this as a draw. Making it even more difficult to choose is the fact that the winner also changes from book to book. Sometimes it’s a draw, sometimes Krueger is the favorite, and other times it’s Sakkari favored. I’m personally going to ride with Sakkari on this because she has so much experience. I know Krueger is having a better year on a hard court, and she has a winning record on the surface, but she has been incredibly underwhelming as a favorite, such as at the US Open, and I think that Sakkari is going to steal this match. That said, I’m picking under 21.5 games because that is by far the safest bet.
That being said, Under 21.5 games is a value bet for sure.
Value bet/ the best odds: Under 21.5 games @1.91 @Bet365
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports