There should be some good quality matches from tomorrow as we get nearer to the main tours returning in August.
EXHIBITION= REDUCED STAKES!
Schmiedlova (2)v Kuzmova (1.75)
Due to start at 1 pm
Schmiedlova leads their previous matches 2-1. All their meetings were on clay with the most recent one being in April last year in Prague. Schmiedlova won in straight sets. Kuzmova had a very easy win in July 2018 and Schmiedlova’s other win was in June 2017, also in straight sets.
Their overall results are quite even in the last 12 months. Kuzmova has a slightly better win percenatge in 2020 although Schmiedlova has the better ROI.
Both players have strong clay results.
Schmiedlova has won 5 of her 6 clay matches during the pandemic. She was only pre match underdog in 2 of those matches. Both were against Bencic. In the first one in June she won just 1 game. Yesterday she started as massive underdog but this time she beat Bencic in 3 sets.
Kuzmova is unbeaten in her 4 clay matches during lockdown. She wasn’t really tested by sister Katerina this week.
It’s difficult to pick a winner. It should be close and I expect a few breaks of serve. Schmiedlova’s confidence can be fragile but her win over Bencic will have given her a huge boost. Kuzmova hasn’t been under pressure since her 3 sets win over Anna Blinkova almost a month ago.
Lay Kuzmova around 1.65 or wait for her to break the Schmiedlova serve. Actually, laying whoever breaks first is a good option. Lay the set 1 winner.
Update: Several breaks of serve as expected. Schmiedlova was broken in the very first game of the match. She eventually broke back to make it 3-3. She was immediately broken again and a further break gave the set to Kuzmova.
In set 2 Schmiedlova took an immediate break of serve but once again was broken straight back. She won another break of serve and yet again was broken straight back. Two more Schmiedlova breaks levelled the match at one set all.
Schmiedlova took a 3-0 lead in the deciding set. She served for the match at 5-3 but was broken. She broke Kuzmova again to take the match.
Schmiedlova won 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.
15 breaks of serve.
