Tennis Betting Advice - February 2024
One to Watch in San Diego at 40/1...
Tuesday 27th February 2024
In yesterday's email we got on two up-and-coming young women for WTA Austin...
Odds of 20/1 Each Way are still available for both Sara Bejlik and Peyton Stearns as I write this Tuesday lunchtime (Betfred).
The Outright markets will go down again later on, when the day's play starts in Texas (from 4.30pm, UK time). Our two picks will be in action in their respective 1st round matches this evening.
Staying in the States, this week's other women's tournament is WTA San Diego. And there's an improving player I want to get behind at a good price here, too...
Magdalena Frech has been putting together some impressive results and performances of late. The Polish 26-year-old is something of an unfashionable name, in that you don't hear too much about her. Overshadowed of course by compatriot and world no.1, Iga Swiatek.
However, a recent burst of form has seen Frech climb to a new career-best ranking of no.42. And she is now Poland's no.2, behind Swiatek.
Magdalena actually went one round better than Iga at the Australian Open last month. With the lesser-known Pole reaching week two and the 4th round (last 16) - her best ever showing at a Grand Slam.
I remember seeing Frech on the practise courts when I visited WTA Birmingham a couple of summers ago. What struck me that day was that she looked an excellent athlete.
On the 2024 form, Frech has won 12 out of 17 outdoor hard court matches so far. Putting her in the 70% match win-rate category that I often use as a barometer of court-specific tournament potential.
In her most recent tournament appearance this month, Magdalena won four matches in a row to come through qualifying and reach the last 16 at the high-status WTA 1000 event in Dubai. Where she then pushed world no.4 Elena Rybakina all the way to a deciding set.
It must've been frustrating for Frech to miss out in that close battle - seeing as Rybakina then went on to withdraw without hitting a ball in the next round... and the player granted a walkover to the semi finals, Jasmine Paolini, then went all the way and lifted the Dubai trophy (as a 150/1 rank outsider).
Frech can take positives from her 2024 progress to date. It feels to me that the 26-year-old is knocking on the door of a big run...
This week's WTA 500-grade event in San Diego features a pretty stacked draw on our player's side of the sheet. But the top seed - world no.5, and 9/4 (3.25) tournament favourite - Jessica Pegula, has yet to set the tour alight in the new season. And I'm on record before with regards to pointing out the American's lack of a killer instinct when it comes to collecting trophies (or justifying heavy favouritism).
Odds of 40/1 appeal for Frech here. An underdog selection, with form and progression on her side.
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WTA San Diego - Cymbiotika San Diego Open
Outright Winner - Each Way (1/2 odds 1-2 places):
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Play starts at 9pm...
P.S
Want to get in touch? Email me at: oliver.upstone@oxonpress.co.uk
Enjoy the tennis…
Best wishes,
Oliver Upstone