Makarova vs. Konta
After a slow start to 2017, Ekaterina Makarova couldn’t have asked for a better way to begin the US Open Series. Besides winning her 3rd career title in Washington last week, Makarova started her campaign in Montreal with an outstanding 6 – 1 6 – 3 win over Shuai Peng. Famous for her exceptional return to serve, the 29-year-old Russian won 75.00% of Peng’s service games.
Playing in North-America brings the best out of Johanna Konta. In addition to her terrific 11 – 3 record over the last 12 months in North-America, the 26-year-old Brit won the biggest title of her career earlier this year in Miami. Known as one of the most aggressive players on the WTA Tour, Konta holds an outstanding 86.36% winning record on Hard Court in 2017. After reaching the quarter-finals on her previous appearance in Canada, the world no.7 is trying to go a step further on this year’s edition.
These two players know each other very well with Konta leading on the h2h by 4 – 0. Adding to this, Makarova only won one set in all their previous four encounters.
Despite Ekaterina’s brilliant results in recent weeks, Konta is a terrible match-up for the Russian. The bookmakers agree with us with Johanna as the main favourite to win this match at 47/100 at Pinnacle while Makarova is available at 7/4 at Bet365. For those who want to take a higher risk on this contest, our suggestion is for you to place a bet on Konta’s -3.5 game handicap at 89/100 at Pinnacle.
Best Play: Johanna Konta -3.5 Game Handicap at 89/100 at Pinnacle
Rybarikova vs. Halep
Simona Halep continues her quest to become the new world no.1 on the WTA ranking. Despite her undeniable talent, the 25-year-old Romanian failed to seize the opportunity at the 2017 French Open final. Nevertheless, Halep holds great memories from Canada with a phenomenal 9 – 1 record on her last two attendances in Rogers Cup. Adding to this, Simona should be fully recovered for this match after her recent retirement in Washington with a heat-related illness.
At the age of 28, Magdalena Rybarikova is going through the best moment in her career. Known as one of the most talented players on the WTA Tour, Rybarikova shocked everyone with her appearance in the semi-finals of Wimbledon. Despite her disappointing defeat against Varvara Lepchenko in the second round of qualifying in Toronto, the 28-year-old Slovak got into the main draw as a lucky loser after Madison Keys withdrew.
This will be the 4th career meeting between these two players with Rybarikova leading on the h2h by 2 – 1.
Despite Magdalena’s lead on the h2h, it’s impossible to go against Simona on this event. The Romanian loves the game conditions in Canada and it won’t be easy for anyone to stop her in Toronto. Therefore, Halep deserves to be the undisputable favourite to reach the 3rd round at 19/50 at Pinnacle while Coral offers 9/4 for Rybarikova’s victory. Due to the low price on Simona’s moneyline, our advice is for you to take advantage of her -4 game handicap at 4/5 at Pinnacle.
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