The 2019 Linz Open continues on Thursday, October 10 with its remaining second round matches as Kiki Bertens takes to court again. Here’s Kiki Bertens v Cori Gauff & Ekaterina Alexandrova v Kristina Mladenovic tips, previews and predictions for these opening round matches.
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Kiki Bertens v Cori Gauff Predictions & Preview
World number eight Kiki Bertens will start off a a favourite against the 110th-ranked Cori Gauff when they face off in the quarter-final of the Linz Open but she will need to be careful not to get complacent. That’s because Gauff has already surprised a few players with her displays despite being a 15-year-old, making most of her second chance after getting through to the main draw as a lucky loser.
She has already beaten Stefanie Voegele and Kateryna Kozlova in her first two matches and while Bertens is a far superior player to her previous opponents, her exuberance of youth might help. Gauff, after all had begun the season at a low of 685th rank on the ATP charts and is now sitting on the verge of a top-100 spot.
Bertens, who has two titles under her belt including one at the St.Petersburg Open, is 6-0 on indoor courts this season. And to give you a context of the brilliance of this record, this is the first time since 2015 she has won more than she has lost on this surface. She was taken to three sets by Alison van Uytvanck but came through and should not have a lot of worries against Gauff.
Tip: Bertens in straight sets: 3/1 with Unibet
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Ekaterina Alexandrova v Kristina Mladenovic Tips Predictions & Preview
This will be the first meeting between the 35th-ranked Ekaterina Alexandrova and 46th-ranked Kristina Mladenovic and the rankings, much like the odds, don’t show much. Like Alexandrova is 1/1 to win this while Mladenovic is only just ahead at 19/20.
With her win over Laura Siegemund in the second round here and counting her qualifiers victories at St.Petersburg, Alexandrova is 10-2 on indoor courts, making her a player to beat already. Maldenovic is a former top-10 but down a few notches now. She has a lot more confidence coming her way in the form of a win over Donna Vekic.
That win was made sweeter by its nature – she was a set down against Vekic but came back to wrap up the match. Mladenovic, with her superior experience should make it through.
Tip: Mladenovic to win: 19/20 with Unibet
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Viktoria Kuzmova v Andrea Petkovic Predictions & Preview
Another match that has the makings of a close encounter. At least the bookmakers seem to think so, what with Andrea Petkovic starting off at 5/6 and Viktoria Kuzmova only marginally longer at 11/10. Kuzmova is 53rd in the world, and after an easy win over Julia Grabher, she needed three sets to get past Anastasia Pavyluchenkova.
Petkovic beat her fellow German opponent Julia Georges in what was a surprise result, but what makes that win even more special is she bagelled Goerges in the second set. Petkovic should be able to edge her opponent out in this one.
Tip: Petkovic to win: 8/11 with Unibet
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Elena Rybakina v Jelena Ostapenko Predictions & Preview
Jelena Ostapenko was leading by a set and had a break in the second when Alize Cornet retired from their encounter, leaving the Latvian with a chance to make the semi-finals. And in order to do that, she will have to overcome Elena Rybakina in what would be their first meeting.
Rybakina is ranked 43rd in the world, to Ostapeko’s 72nd, but with a win-loss record of 19-27 for the Latvian, it’s evident who is the favourite for this one. However, what’s changed is that Ostapenko is now in touch with former Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli, who is helping her out as a mentor.
And that’s where she will hold the advantage, even though Rybakina’s form on hard and indoor courts – even if on the lower circuit – has been excellent. Ostapenko will come through in this one.
Tip: Ostapeko t0 win: 19/20 with Unibet
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