It’s time for the quarterfinals at WTA Ningbo. Hello, all. Kane Webb here back on a new schedule. Moving forward from this point, there will be a massive change in how I do things going forward. As promised, there will be more options available to bettors, with more prop bets being introduced on days when lines are atrocious for straight up. I will also be employing new methods of choosing winners, and I hope this leads to a more positive experience for everyone. With that said, please leave your thoughts in the comments.      

WTA Ningbo
Kudermetova – Paolini: Time 08:30

H2H: 3-2

Veronika Kudermetova vs Jasmine Paolini kicks off our coverage. The two of them have a small but notable history. In their five previous matches, Kudermetova has won three, and Paolini has won two. Paolini won their last match, which took place earlier this year at the WTA Cincinnati in the semifinals. That match went three sets, just like two of their others, though the Cincinnati match was the only match they’ve played beyond the first round of any tournament. Kudermetova is 5-5 in her last ten matches. Paolini is 8-2, with both of her losses coming in the quarterfinals or later.

Best Bet to Make

The books see Paolini as the favorite here, and I agree. What I’m not the biggest fan of is the line on Paolini. At 1.5, she barely hits our minimum and isn’t likely to net you too much in return should she cash out. In Paolini’s last ten matches, only three have gone beyond two sets. She’s playing really efficiently as of late, and Kudermetova is in a huge slump. In fact, Kudermetova just broke a two-game losing streak in the first round of this tournament. I like Paolini in two sets at 2.25 because she’s playing so efficiently, and it will net you far more than the straight-up bet.

That being said, Paolini is a value bet for sure.

Value bet/the best odds: Paolini @2.25 @Bet365

Kessler – Samsonova: Time 07:00

H2H: 0-0

Our second match features McCartney Kessler against Liudmila Samsonova. Kessler is having a solid year. She’s 35-22 on the year, and 25-14 on a hardcourt. Samsonova is 30-22, but she’s only 15-14 on a hardcourt. Kessler is 6-4 in her last ten matches, and Samsonova is also 6-4 in hers. Given that they have little history to go off of, much of how people bet on this match will be based on other factors. One focuses on power, the other is known for her aggressive play. That said, both players are known for their inconsistency and inability to produce under pressure.

Best Bet to Make

The books largely see this one as a draw, with Samsonova barely having the edge as the favorite. When I say barely, I mean barely. The average odds sit at 1.94 to 1.85, with Samsonova being the favorite. I actually do not agree with this because Samsonova has been so inconsistent on a hardcourt. Samsonova has three hardcourt tournaments this year where she has been to the quarterfinals or further. Most of these hardcourt tournaments have seen Samsonova bounce out fairly early. It is because of this inconsistency that I think McCartney Kessler is the safer bet.

That being said, Kessler winning is a value bet for sure.

Value bet/the best odds: Kessler winning @2.00 @Bet365

Main Photo Credit: Taya Gray-USA TODAY Sports