Kim Clijsters vs Johanna Konta
3rd March 1700hrs
Tennis – Monterrey – WTA
Pick Draw
Bookmaker Bet365
Odds: 8/15 odds taken 23:57 GMT Sunday, 2 March
There has been little to show from Johanna Konta this year on the WTA. The British number one badly needs to get some momentum going and the next challenge for her is this Monterrary opener. She faces veteran Kim Clijsters who is on the comeback trail.
Table of Contents
Konta can’t afford to miss another opportunity
Of course by this point of the season, although it is still early, Johanna Konta must be feeling a bit of pressure. She has yet to win a singles match in 2020. That’s three played without success.
The most recent of those was at the St Petersburg Ladies where she was fourth seed. Konta took a really disappointing exit in the second round (after having had a first round bye). She was beaten by the unranked Oceane Dodin.
Can the 28-year-old kick start her year? There has been something off with Konta’s serve this year, usually the strong point of her game. She has won only 55% of service points and only 61% of service games.
Those are all stats which should be much higher from her. This will be the first match between Konta and Clijsters. Given that Clijsters has just come out of retirement having stepped away from the game in 2012, this isn’t a match that Konta can afford to drop. It would be another big confidence blow if she did.
Clijsters returns again
It was nearly eight years away from the game that Kim Clijsters had before facing Garbine Muguruza in Dubai recently. Even though the Belgian lost in straight sets, there were moments where the former Grand Slam winner was striking the ball well.
The four-time Slam winner wasn’t great on her serve against Muguruza, but then it was never expected to be after so long away from competitive action. She’ll need some time to get the rust out.
Don’t miss out on other Betting Tips & Predictions
Click here for more Betting Tips
Clijsters dropped the opening set in that contest against Muguruza 6-2 but then pushed the Spaniard harder in the second set. Clijsters lost it on a tie break. But the longer that second set went on, glimpses of her confidence and point-building along with a trademark forehand came out.
Kim Clijsters vs Johanna Konta Betting Advice
This is such a difficult game for Johanna Konta. She is facing a player who was away for almost eight years and was beaten on her return last month.
All of the pressure will be on Konta to deliver the win as well over Clijsters, like Muguruza did. Is the game of Konta good enough at the moment to not let this slip?
Key Facts – Kim Clijsters vs Johanna Konta Betting Tip
- Kim Clijsters has returned to action after nearly 8 years out
- Kim Clijsters and Jo Konta will meet for the first time
- Johanna Konta hast lost all 3 matches this year
That’s questionable. Konta hasn’t looked anywhere near her best in any of her matches in 2020, what few there have been. No doubt some nerves are going to come in here when Clijsters starts finding her range.
But for fitness levels, more competitive action and because the Clijsters serve is going to need far more time to get back to its best, Konta may just be able to seize her chance.
The best betting odds for Kim Clijsters vs Johanna Konta
Kim Clijsters to win: 11/8 at Bet365
Johanna Konta: 8/15 at Bet365
