Erika Andreeva vs. Maryna Zanevska - WTA 125K Bucharest (clay courts)
The men’s tour has paused for the week, as many players congregate around Europe to compete for their respective countries at the Davis Cup, but the women are back in action following the US Open. With hard court events in Chennai, India and Portoroz, Slovenia, as well as clay-court action at a 125K event in Bucharest, Romania, there are plenty of matches on offer to find some advantageous betting positions.
For Wednesday’s action, it’s the red dirt in the Romanian capital where one match in particular catches the eye. Young Russian Erika Andreeva takes on seasoned veteran Maryna Zanevska for a spot in the quarterfinals.
Andreeva Ready to Take Down Tour-Level Opposition?
It’s been an impressive few seasons for the 18-year-old, having reached the top-150 in the WTA rankings, despite not really having made any real runs at the tour’s top level.
While she’s made several runs to the quarterfinals or better at ITF events this season, her win against Elisabetta Cocciaretto in the opening round of this event was arguably her first legitimate tour-level win on the clay.
Coming up against someone as experienced and well-rounded as Zanevska in the second round is no easy task, yet the markets have deemed her to be a slight favorite (or slight underdog, depending on the book).
Her game may be consistent enough to pull off this win, but I have trouble making her the favorite and believing she wins this one more often than not.
Well-Rounded Zanevska Looking to Maintain Momentum
Back on the red clay, the Ukrainian-born Belgian looks right at home and comfortable after a poor summer on the hard courts. After going down 0-6 and having to retire a week ago in Italy, Zanevska looked just fine in her opening match of the week, dispatching Lucia Bronzetti 6-1, 6-0.
An ultra-consistent baseline player that is right at home on clay, Bronzetti has had a strong season that has seen rise to the top-60 in the WTA rankings.
That match should serve the 29-year-old well as she prepares to take on Andreeva, and with a strong first serve, the ability to generate pace on her forehand and enough consistency to stick around in longer rallies, Zanevska has far more tools at her disposal than her younger counterpart.
Combined with an edge in pedigree and quality of competition, I make Zanevska a rather clear favorite in this one.
Bet: Zanevska ML, 1.5 units at -103 (Unibet)