The top action from the WTA continues this week with the first Premier 5 event of the season. That means a strong field is guaranteed and six of the current top ten are in attendance. The most notable player missing is last year’s losing finalist Simona Halep and it is Belgium’s Elise Mertens who is defending the title.
WTA Doha 2020 Winner Odds*
Ashleigh Barty 11/2
Aryna Sabalenka 10/1
Karolina Pliskova 11/1
Kiki Bertens 11/1
Petra Kvitova 12/1
Garbine Muguruza 12/1
Sofia Kenin 14/1
Elise Mertens 14/1
Elina Svitolina 18/1
Elena Rybakina 25/1
Dayana Yastremska 33/1
Petra Martic 33/1
40/1 bar
* (betting odds taken from Ladbrokes on February 23rd, 2020 at 23:23)
Tennis Betting at Ladbrokes
Table of Contents
Barty favourite on return to action
World number one Ashleigh Barty comes back into action for the first time since her failed Australian Open campaign. She fell in the semi-finals there to eventual winner Sofia Kenin.
The positive for Barty was that it was her first visit to the final four in Melbourne and she did win a title in Adelaide earlier in the year.
She comes straight back into action as the 11/2 odds favourite* (betting odds taken from Ladbrokes on February 23rd, 2020 at 23:23). Barty could be on a collision course with her Australian Open conqueror Kenin in the quarter-finals.
Kenin and Muruguza set for rematch
2020 Australian Open winner Sofia Kenin could meet Garbina Muguzura in the quarter-finals. That would be a rematch of the recent Australian Open final. So that is a mouthwatering proposition to come down the line.
In her first singles tournament since her Grand Slam win, Kenin was knocked out in the first round of Dubai last week against the in-form Elena Rybakina. So the American will be looking to get a bit of momentum going but is out at 14/1 for the Doha title* (betting odds taken from Ladbrokes on February 23rd, 2020 at 23:23).
Spain’s Garbine Muruguza ran to the quarter-finals of the Dubai Duty-Free Championship last week, where she was beaten by Jennifer Brady in an upset. Muguruza didn’t look comfortable in any of her matches there beside her opener against the returning Kim Clijsters.
Pliskova and Kvitova look for form
Karolina Pliskova came out of the blocks firing in 2020 in claiming the title at the Brisbane International. It hasn’t gone smoothly since then for her as she bowed out before the second week of the Australian Open 2020.
Pliskova was then ditched in the quarter-finals of Dubai last weekend against Elena Rybakina.
Pliskova is in the second quarter alongside Petra Kvitova who is also looking for a boost in form.
She started strongly with a semi-final at Brisbane and then went to the quarters of the Australian Open. Her last action was in the recent St Petersburg Ladies Trophy where she played only one match.
Sabalenka one to watch?
Aryna Sablanka, the ninth seed for Doha, does look to have a decent draw in front of her. Sabalenka beat Maria Sakkari and Elise Mertens last week in Dubai before narrowly losing to Simona Halep in the quarter-finals.
Sabalenka has shortened to a 10/1 option for the title* (betting odds taken from Ladbrokes on February 23rd, 2020 at 23:23)
Sabalanka put up a good fight in that match after having taken the first set. She could be meeting Sakari again early in this tournament and has Kiki Bertens in the quarter as well. But the heavy-hitting Belarusian is well worth a look to claim the quarter at the very least.
Elena Rybakina
Elena Rybankina has to be mentioned here. Four WTA Tour level events played in 2020 and the 20-year-old has made the final in each of them.
The most recent of those was on the weekend when she lost in the Dubai showcase match against Simona Halep.
It has been a staggering season by Rybakina who is just rolling along on serious momentum. The extra work has to catch up with her at some point and she is in Barty’s quarter in Doha, the Australian beating Rybakina at this year’s Australian Open.
Predictions & Tips
A great field is in attendance in Doha. The top quarter has Barty, Muguruza and Kenin in it, then if you are thrown in Pliskova and Kvitova from the second quarter, that is a massively competitive half of the draw.
Barty, on her game, should be a lock for the quarter-final out of it.
Barty is well rested since the Australian Open and if you project her through to the semi’s against either Pliskova or Kvitova, you would probably back the Australian.
Down in the bottom half, things are much easier for Aryna Sabalenka and at any quote anywhere at 10/1 or above, she is worth consideration in the outright. That’s because of a draw which looks manageable for her.
William Hill 10% in-play Tennis losses back as a free bet
Customers at William Hill will receive 10% back in free bets on their tennis losses each week. The promotion can return up to a maximum £100 each week paid in free bets on qualifying losses.
Free bets from the promotion expire after four days and a free bets are paid 12:00 Monday for the previous week.
18+ Please Gamble Responsibly. See bookmaker for full T&Cs
Key Terms and Conditions
Only available to William Hill customers in the UK or Ireland. This promotion is open to bets made via Mobile, Internet, Text and Telebetting. Only bets struck in Sterling (GBP) or Euros (EUR) will count towards the promotion. A “week” long period runs from Monday at 00:00 to Sunday at 23:59.
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Free bets will be paid by midday (UK time) every Monday and will be available for 4 days. Free bets can be used on any sports event (excluding tote, pool, and lottery bets).
