The first WTA 1000 on clay is the Madrid Open and there is a sense of anticipation this year, partly because on altitude they field has a chance of upsetting the big favorite Iga Swiatek. In this article, we shall delve into the list of favorites, players to watch, and dark horses to win the second Masters 1000 on clay this season.
WTA Madrid Open 2023 Betting Tips & Predictions
Women’s Singles: Favorites to Win the 2023 Madrid Open
Who is stopping the juggernaut that is Iga Swiatek? The Polish World No. 1 is back to her dominant form once again, with her potential decline slightly exaggerated.
Swiatek had been carrying a rib injury in Indian Wells where she lost to Elena Rybakina in the semifinal and subsequently pulled out from Miami in order to heal. She returned with aplomb in Stuttgart where she romped to her second WTA title of the season.
Swiatek is a cut above the rest of the field, more so on clay where she has lost only three matches since 2021. It’s tough to see anyone else having a shot.
But in the probable case Swiatek stumbles, a player who might take advantage is second seed Aryna Sabalenka who lost out to the Pole in the Stuttgart final for the second year in a row. At altitude, Sabalenka will be extremely dangerous, just like she was on the faster clay in Stuttgart. She has already won this tournament before, doing so in 2021 by beating then World No. 1 Ashleigh Barty.
- Women’s Singles Winner Prediction: Iga Swiatek (Click here to bet with bet365)
- Women’s Singles Winner Dark Horse Prediction: Aryna Sabalenka (Click here to bet with bet365)
Women’s Singles: Players to Watch at the Madrid Open
I want to thrust Ons Jabeur’s name here. She is the defending champion, but the injury curse has struck again. Still, there is no word on whether she has pulled out from the tournament, but it didn’t look good after retiring only three games in the match due to a calf injury at the weekend in Stuttgart.
Instead, I’ll pick the unsung heroes of 2023 in the women’s section. Jelena Ostapenko deserves special praise for the way she has gone about her business this year.
Last week, she gave Jabeur a torrid time in Stuttgart losing narrowly in three. I expect the Latvian to power through the draw and have serious title aspirations at a tournament she has surprisingly fared poorly in the past.
Unlike Ostapenko, Paula Badosa has come close to making history on home soil. She reached the semifinal two years ago as a wild card entrant and has the athletic ability and stamina to succeed on the red clay. With back-to-back quarterfinals on clay, Badosa is one of the most in-form players coming to Madrid.
To Win the Tournament: Paula Badosa (Click here to bet with bet365)
Women’s Singles: Dark Horses to Reach Second Week at Madrid Open
Barbora Krejcikova has a clay-court pedigree but will be keen to avoid Aryna Sabalenka in her side of the draw. Three of her last four defeats have come against the Belarusian including her round of 16 exit in Stuttgart.
Caroline Garcia has had an up-and-down season, but could still come good on clay. She finished with an 11-3 record on the surface last season, sensationally beating Iga Swiatek in her home city of Warsaw. So I don’t think that top-tier quality would just dissipate in less than a year.
Anastasia Potapova is on the verge of breaking the top 20 for the first time. She’s had a fabulous year, making at least the quarterfinals in four tournaments and winning her second career title in Linz. She has scored three top-10 wins this season and will be a thorn in any player’s game.
- To Win her Quarter: Anastasia Potapova
- To Win her Quarter: Caroline Garcia
- To Win the Tournament: Barbora Krejcikova
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