Tuesday looks to be another top day in prospect in the ladies draw of the Cincinnati Masters, with many of the biggest names in female tennis entering the draw and hoping to seize on any opportunities they can before the US Open. The top 8 won’t be in action until Wednesday so some of the players on the periphery of the world’s top 10, have a chance to stake a claim here. The draw is littered with fascinating match-ups and here are some of the ones that stand out:
Match Betting: Venus Williams vs Alison Riske
This all-American clash in Ohio is sure to wow the fans with both players – although at very differing points in their careers – have strong fan bases. Venus has had one of her most consistent seasons for a few years and is seeded 9 here in Cincy – she’s 1/3 with Marathon Bet. Riske has risen to number 39 in the world rankings and has seemingly come of age this season and she’s 11/4 with Sky Bet to win this one.
Head to Head
Williams leads the head to head 2:0 with both of her wins coming in America in 2016 (Stanford & Charleston) – a record that Riske will be desperate to improve this week.
Top Bet
Venus should have too much for Riske but the emerging American has nothing to lose. Backing the match to go the distance – 3 sets – looks a good move at 13/8 with William Hill.
Match Betting: Sloane Stephens vs Lucie Safarova
This is one of the ties of the round and by far one of the toughest matches to call. Having reached the top 10 in the rankings back in 2015, Safarova has struggled with injuries and form for the past couple of seasons but looks to be returning to form of late. Stephens’s career has followed an almost identical path of late as her injuries have seen her drop almost 150 places in the rankings. She showed her class though with a run to the semis in Toronto last week and will be hoping to kick on here.
Stephens slightly leads the market as she’s best priced 19/20 with UniBet whilst Safarova is definitely capable of progressing here at Evens with Paddy Power.
Head to Head
This is the 4th meeting between these 2 players with Safarova leading the head to head record 2:1. Stephens emerged victorious last week in Toronto in an enthralling encounter.
Top Bet
As mentioned, last week’s clash in Toronto was spectacular and the fans in Cincinnati will be hoping for more of the same here. Safarova looks a great shout to avenge her defeat here at Evens and could do so by a score line of 2 sets to 1, 15/4 with William Hill.
Match Betting: Julia Goerges vs Agnieszka Radwanska
The fans in Cincinnati look sure to be treated to another amazing match-up with two more household names meeting in round 1. Despite her defeat in the first round at Toronto last week, Goerges has been showing some strong form since Wimbledon and has managed to reach 2 finals in the past 4 weeks (Bucharest and Washington) and the German is 11/8 with William Hill here. Radwanska, looked comfortable last week in her first tournament since Wimbledon before running into a resurgent Caroline Wozniacki. The Pole is seeded 10 here and as a result is the favourite at 8/15 with Bet 365.
Head to Head
This is the 5th meeting between these two players from neighbouring countries, with Radwanska leading the H2H 3:1. This is their first meeting in over 2 years – meaning perhaps not too much can be derived from their previous results.
Top Bet
Goerges is a real threat but has struggled when stepping up to Masters Level – losing last week to Bellis in round 1. Radwanska should have too much here and looks a good bet to win in straight sets at 13/8 with Betfair.
Multi-Bet Accumulator:
Alize Cornet vs Catherine Bellis – Bellis to win
Ekaterina Makarova vs Barbora Strycova – Makarova to win
Ashley Barty vs Vavara Lepchenko – Barty to win
Jelena Ostapenko vs Aleksandra Krunic – Ostapenko to win
Backing these 4 players to win pays 4.59/1 with Ladbrokes.