WTA Miami Round 1
Pavlyuchenkova – Linette: Time 16:00
H2H: 3-2
Neither Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova nor Magda Linette are coming into this tournament playing their best tennis. With that said, we do have an extremely recent match between these two exact players and it was one in which Linette came out on top as Pavlyuchenkova retired. Though Linette was leading the current set 4-1 at the time her opponent retired, Pavlyuchenkova had won the first set in seven. Is Pavlyuchenkova fully recovered? It’s hard to say given that she dropped her next match to Liudmila Samsonova in straight sets. She hasn’t played since Abu Dhabi and it’s for these two reasons that I am keen on Linette taking this match straight-up.
Best Bet to Make
According to the books, Pavlyuchenkova is the favorite in this match but I am not sure I agree. Given the fact that she just recently lost to Linette, the fact that Samsonova beat her in straight sets, and her retirement at Abu Dhabi, it’s hard to feel overwhelmingly confident in her taking this match when Linette at +136 is just sitting there saying “I can do this for you.” Until she proves otherwise, Pavlyuchenkova isn’t a safe bet right now.
That being said, Linette winning in an upset is a value bet for sure.
Value bet/ the best odds: Magda Linette winning @+136 @FanDuel
McNally – Tomova: Time 16:00
H2H: 0-1
Caty McNally and Viktoriya Tomova have only met once before and Tomova took her in straight sets, but that was back in 2019 when McNally was only ~18 years old. It’s now six years later and McNally enters this tournament coming off a second-round appearance at Indian Wells and a Semifinal appearance in the Spring ITF. Tomova also reached the second round at Indian Wells but didn’t even leave the first round of Dubai. She’s also 2-3 in her last five appearances, the same as McNally.
Best Bet to Make
Caty McNally enters as the favorite in this matchup at -128, and we agree. Not only is she in solid form, but she’s also playing better than Tomova overall. In her last ten matches, Tomova has only won two in a row one time. She’s lacking the consistency that seems to be hovering around the play of McNally.
That being said, McNally winning is a value bet
Value bet/ the best odds: Caty McNally winning @-128 @FanDuel
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Danilovic – Baptiste: Time 16:00
H2H: 0-1
This is one of those matches that have potential either way. Given that both Olga Danilovic (-115) and Hailey Baptiste (-104) are hosting fairly good odds right now, but a quick look at recent play would suggest that Danilovic might be the smarter play. At 6-4 in her last ten with wins over Jessica Pegula, Liudmila Samsonova, and Alycia Parks, Danilovic is playing with a bit of sauce right now while Baptiste is just 4-6 in her last ten, but 3-2 in her last five.
Best Bet to Make
Given the level of competition she has beaten recently, coupled with her overall form, it’s hard to argue with Danilovic as the favorite in this match. It’s possible to place off-setting bets, but the smart money is on Danilovic. She’s not only playing great tennis right now, but she’s also ranked higher of the two while Baptiste is still looking for her first win on a hard court in 2025.
That said, Danilovic winning is a value betValue bet/ the best odds: DanilovicOlga winning @-115 @FanDuel
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports