WTA Rouen moves into the quarterfinals after another series of relatively close matches in the round of 16. This tournament has been extremely competitive, with a lot of three-set matches and ample drama. The players who win are usually surviving more than dominating, which is definitely keeping the French crowds entertained. Now let’s see if that action continues into the weekend. Let’s look at the quarterfinal matches on the card. 

WTA Rouen
Shymanovich – Maria: Time 4:30

H2H: 1-1

Iryna Shymanovich and Tatjana Maria are both having a fantastic week in France. They had both been losing more than they were winning in the weeks leading up to WTA Rouen, but they both found something in Rouen. Shymanovich has won four straight matches, including two in the qualifying rounds. Maria is pulling upsets left and right. The winner will get a WTA Tour semifinal berth and a chance to make a run at the trophy. 

Best Bet to Make

Both players are in form right now after struggling previously, so it’s hard to pick between the two. Therefore, any kind of bet that expects a close match is worth trying at the right price. Looking at what the markets have available, you can get Shymanovich winning by a very, very small game spread with a decent return.

That being said, Shymanovich -1.5 games is a value bet for sure.

Value bet/ the best odds: Shymanovich -1.5 games @1.88 @Unibet

Bondar – Cirstea: Time 10:30

H2H: 0-2

Anna Bondar turned in an uneven but good-enough performance to beat Oleksandra Oliynykova in the Round of 16 on Thursday. The match lasted three sets, and Bondar won the second set 6-0. It was a weird match in which Bondar dominated, lost her way, and then got it back. Sorana-Mihaela Cirstea will enter this match physically fresh. She advanced when her opponent, Xinyu Wang, retired late in the first set with Cirstea leading 5-3. 

Best Bet to Make

The play here is on Cirstea winning decisively. After being relegated to an extremely short outing on Thursday, Cirstea will be energized and prepared for this match. Bondar played a three-set match and is inconsistent. Cirstea should be able to win this match convincingly, and the bet should reflect as much. I like Cirstea taking the match in straight sets, and so do the books. 

That being said, Cirstea winning 2:0 is a value bet for sure.

Value bet/ the best odds: Cirstea 2:0 sets @2.2 @bet365

Kostyuk – Li: Time 06:00

H2H: 1-1

Marta Kostyuk versus Ann Li is a quarterfinal matchup between two of the top five seeds in the tournament. Both players are ranked in the WTA Top 40. This might be the best match on the Friday card in Rouen. Notably, both players needed three sets to win their Round of 16 matches against lower-ranked opponents. These players are winning matches and are getting the job done, but again, no player is truly dominating the tournament thus far. It’s not a tournament in which one favorite is emerging. That adds to the uncertainty of this match. 

Best Bet to Make

It is a week in Rouen in which most matches are going three sets. There’s your bet. If the match goes three sets, Li plus 1.5 sets offers a very good price. Fundamentally, the logic of betting on a close match is a lot stronger and more convincing than the logic of betting on a lopsided match. Obviously, anything is possible. Kostyuk could catch fire and win this thing 6-2, 6-2, but the likelihood is that it goes three. 

That being said, Li -1.5 sets is a value bet for sure.

Value bet/ the best odds: Li -1.5 sets @2.23 @Unibet

Podrez – Boulter: Time 9:00

H2H: 0-0

Veronika Podrez is becoming a big story in Rouen. Not yet 20 years old, the teenager has moved into the quarterfinals by beating accomplished players. Podrez took out former major champion Sloane Stephens. Then on Thursday, she beat a top-45 player, Elisabetta Cocciaretto. How far can Podrez go? Katie Boulter will test her. Boulter needed three sets to beat Jaqueline Cristian in the Round of 16 and advance to the quarterfinals.

Best Bet to Make

It is important to note that while Podrez has had a great tournament in Rouen, her win over Cocciaretto was helped along by the fact that Cocciaretto was not fully fit. She suffered an in-match injury and needed the trainer in the second set. Cocciaretto battled into the third set but was not at 100 percent. Podrez, to her credit, did not blow that opportunity, but it’s still hard to think that Podrez will beat a fully healthy Boulter. Take the British veteran in a straightforward match. Boulter winning 2:0 can be had at 2.2 on bet365, and it makes more sense than Boulter 

That being said, Boulter winning 2:0 decisively is a value bet for sure.

Value bet/ the best odds: Boulter 2:0 sets @2.2 @bet365

Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

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