Daily match picks

Stefanie Voegele 2.5, Leylah Fernandez 1.62

Firs round. Due to start around 9 pm.

This will be their first meeting.

Much stronger overall results for Fernandez in the last 12 months. Her hard court results are also much better.

Fernandez reached the final last week in Acapulco losing out to Heather Watson in 3 sets. She played 7 matches in that tournament as she had to go through the qualifying rounds. Before this week her best results have all been in ITF tournaments.

Voegele reached the final in the Newport Beach Challenger at the end of January. She also reached the semi finals of another Challenger tournament in Houston in November. Last week in Acapulco she lost in the first round of qualifying to Sara Errani. She won just 3 games in that match. She took some revenge over Errani by beating her in the qualifying rounds this week.

Fernandez might be a bit tired today but I think she will get through. Back her around 1.85 to 1.95. Look to remove some or all of the liability if she goes a break of serve ahead and also holds her own serve.

 

Leylah Fernandez 1.87, Heather Watson 2.08

Due to start at midnight.

Watson has won both their previous matches. Their most recent match was in August last year. It was in the semi finals of the Vancouver ITF hard court tournament. She won in straight sets. Their other match was indoors in 2018. She won that one in 2 sets.

Overall results favour Fernandez in the last 12 months. Hard court results also favour her in the same period.

Watson won her last 2 matches this week as underdog. In the quarter final she beat Christina McHale in 3 sets and then defeated in form Xiyu Wang in 2 close sets in the semi final.

Fernandez has come through the qualifying rounds and 4 main draw matches without losing a set. She was underdog in the second round and quarter final. Nao Hibino was easily beat in round 2 for the loss of just 3 games. The quarter final was closer but Anastasia Potapova only managed to break the Fernandez serve twice. In the semi final Renata Zarazua disrupted Fernandez’ game but still couldn’t take a set.

Stats for the tournament all favour Fernandez. This should go to 3 sets. Some value on Watson. Lay Watson around 1.65 to 1.70 and remove some or all liability at 2.30. Lay the set 1 winner.