Tennis Betting Advice - August 2022
Take 4/1 for an upset tonight...
Monday 22nd August 2022
Good afternoon. I’ve been waiting for a market to go up today, and now that the bookmakers have pulled their finger out – I like the prices on offer.
The bet is a straightforward, formbook & momentum selection for me. Back in January 2020, Sofia ‘Sonya’ Kenin was the toast of women’s tennis – and this column. Landing a maiden Grand Slam title at the Australian Open at 50/1.
Two and a half years is a long time in sport, though. And as we’ve commented on in recent months, Kenin’s stock has fallen decidedly low these days. She’s still only 23 years of age of course, and I’d love to see the good times return for the young American.
We have to look at the cards being dealt right now though, and with the on-court form and off-court issues being so dire, I can’t suggest anything other than opposing Kenin in tonight’s 1st round match in Cleveland…
Granted, most of those defeats have been to opponents with a much more established foothold on the WTA circuit than tonight’s challenger, 21-year-old American, Dalayna Hewitt.
The facts as they are though, this match-up is the current world no.415 Kenin against world no.437 Hewitt.
Take 4/1 for an upset tonight…
The younger of the two Americans, Hewitt has come through the qualifying rounds here at WTA Cleveland. Winning two out of two matches over the weekend to reach the main draw. Which is much better preparation than Kenin’s morale-sapping nine-match losing streak.
Add in continued unhappy body language on the court from Sofia, with anxious looks over to her intense father/ coach. And recent controversy over her ex-boyfriend (also a coach) Max Wenders, who has been banned for 12 years for match fixing. And the atmosphere around Sonya is just not good.
Injuries and coronavirus disruptions do play a part in Kenin’s alarming rankings slump. But honestly, whenever I’ve seen her play this season, it’s been a sad spectacle. Tough to watch at times, as she’s so hard on herself when the points don’t go her way.
I’ll also be up front and say I don’t know too much about tonight’s opponent, with Dalayna Hewitt a newcomer at this level, and usually plying her trade on the lower-tier ITF Tour as she looks to climb the rankings ladder. That good showing in qualifying over the weekend is promising though, and the 21-year-old will certainly know all about Kenin’s struggles.
The former Grand Slam champ is still being priced as such here, short odds-on at 1/6 (1.17) in today’s Match Winner market. Even if Sonya manages to scrape together a victory here, I’d say it will likely be a stressful watch. And that 1/6 price is scarily short.
I’d much rather be on the underdog, with Hewitt widely available at 4/1 and bigger (5.0+). For Kenin, I fear things could get worse before they get better…
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Ones to Watch picks:
WTA Cleveland – Tennis in the Land presented by Motorola Edge
Match Winner:
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This match is schedule fourth on the Stadium Court in Cleveland, which will be around 7.30pm+ UK time, depending on the preceding matches.
Enjoy the tennis…
Best wishes,
Tom Wilson