WTA French Open Second Round Preview
The WTA French Open is now in full swing, with the second round set to take place on Wednesday. The weather in Paris has been extremely hot and is expected to remain so for the next few days. This means that players will have to manage their energy levels carefully during matches. Efficiency and taking advantage of opportunities will be key for success. The second round features a field of 64 players, and by the end of Thursday night, this number will be reduced to 32 for the weekend.
Here are three matches to watch on Wednesday, along with betting insights from experts:
Bejlek vs. Swiatek – 6:00 EST
This match will see Sara Bejlek face Iga Swiatek. Bejlek delivered a strong and convincing win over former US Open champion Sloane Stephens in the first round. She looked in rhythm and will aim to carry that momentum into her next match. However, this will be a significant challenge for the underdog, as she faces Iga Swiatek, who has won this tournament four times.
Swiatek showed solid performance in the first round, defeating Emerson Jones with a score of 6-1, 6-2. As a top-four player with big ambitions, she will look to take another step toward reclaiming her Roland-Garros title.
Best Bet to Make
The odds for Swiatek winning in straight sets are very low, so it’s advisable to focus on the game spread. Swiatek covered an 8.5-game spread in the first round, and she should be able to cover a 7.5-game spread here. If she does, bettors could receive a great return.
That being said, betting on Swiatek -7.5 games is a value bet.
Value bet/ the best odds: Swiatek -7.5 games @2.02 @1xBet
Ostapenko vs. Linette – 6:30 EST
Jelena Ostapenko will face Magda Linette in this match. Ostapenko struggled in the second set of her first-round match against Ella Seidel but managed to rally and win in straight sets. Although her matches often involve some stumbles, she managed to avoid a third set, which should give her confidence.
Magda Linette defeated Tereza Valentova in three sets in the first round. However, we will see if she can build on that performance when facing Ostapenko.
Best Bet to Make
Ostapenko’s matches are known for their volatility, so bettors need to consider this. However, we previously advised betting on Ostapenko in straight sets against Seidel, and the bet was successful. We are trusting Ostapenko again for a simple reason: Magda Linette hasn’t played well in recent weeks. While she did beat Valentova in the first round, she is 2-4 in her last six matches. In contrast, Ostapenko is 5-1 in her last six matches.
We don’t believe one win over Tereza Valentova is enough to suggest that Magda Linette will play a good match here. She still has more to prove.
That being said, betting on Ostapenko winning 2:0 is a value bet for sure.
Value bet/ the best odds: Ostapenko winning 2:0 @1.81 @1xBet
Starodubtseva vs. Rybakina – 7:00 EST
Yulia Starodubtseva will face Elena Rybakina in this match. Starodubtseva performed exceptionally well in her first-round match, defeating Anna Blinkova in straight sets. Now, she faces a much tougher challenge against World No. 2 Elena Rybakina.
Rybakina advanced smoothly through her first-round match against Veronika Erjavec. After the match, she mentioned how hot the conditions were. Despite the heat, Rybakina played well, clearly motivated to finish quickly.
Best Bet to Make
Rybakina appeared focused in the first round, almost eager to get off the court. When a favorite shows such determination, it’s a positive sign for bettors. It’s possible that Rybakina might be impatient in this match, but given her strong performance in the first round, it seems more likely that she will play with rhythm and flow.
While Rybakina winning in straight sets may not offer a valuable price, the game spread is worth considering. Rybakina should have no trouble covering a medium-sized spread.
That being said, betting on Rybakina -5.5 games is a value bet for sure.
Value bet/ the best odds: Rybakina -5.5 games @1.63 @Betsson
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
