WTA Stuttgart continues to produce exciting tennis and we have an incredible lineup of matches for Wednesday.
I’ve found value on two of the April 19 matches — Sakkari vs Pliskova and Jabeur vs Ostapenko.
Read on for my WTA Stuttgart picks and best bets.
Note: Match times are subject to change. Read here for tips on viewing tennis matches and seeing tennis odds.
WTA Stuttgart Odds, Picks
Maria Sakkari (-140) vs Karolina Pliskova (+110)
6:05 a.m. ET
Maria Sakkari last played in Miami, where she fell in her first match 7-5, 3-6, 4-6 to Bianca Andreescu. Sakkari won just 42% of her second-serve points in that match, getting broken on five occasions. But, the Greek did win 55% of her second-serve returns and broke four times.
Sakkari has a 169-104 career-record on clay. Her game is built around her heavy forehand that she uses to dictate from the baseline. Sakkari's backhand can be erratic, although she moves the ball around well from that wing. She has a high tennis IQ and is a physical player.
While she might prefer slower conditions, Sakkari should be able to adapt and take the initiative on the quicker Stuttgart courts.
Karolina Pliskova most recently lost 1-6, 2-6 in the third round of Miami to Marketa Vondrousova. Pliskova won just 30% of her service points, getting broken six times in seven service games. Pliskova did win 60% of her second-serve returns, but she only won 26% of her first-serve returns, breaking on two occasions.
Pliskova is a solid 155-113 on clay as a professional. The quicker, slippery conditions in Stuttgart play more to the Czech's strengths, but her flatter groundstrokes and serve-based game do not translate well to the dirt.
Sakkari does a great job of absorbing pace and dictating play. She should be able to blunt Pliskova's serves and powerful first strikes from the baseline and extend rallies. She should control the baseline with her forehand, dragging Pliskova around the court and exposing the Czech's mediocre movement.
Though the quicker clay conditions will help Pliskova's game, it will also give Sakkari an extra boost on her own serve and forehand. The Greek still has the defensive skills to neutralize Pliskova's attacking game.
Pick: Sakkari ML (-140 via PointsBet)
Ons Jabeur (-185) vs Jelena Ostapenko (+144)
2 p.m. ET
Ons Jabeur recently won the title in Charleston, defeating Belinda Bencic 7-6(6), 6-4 in the final. Jabeur won 70% of her first-serve points, but she only won 47% of her second serves, getting broken three times. The Tunisian won 56% of her second-serve points, breaking on four occasions.
Jabeur is a strong clay player, going 156-61 on the surface for her career. She hits her spots on serve and dictates with her forehand. Jabeur is best known for her variety, utilizing slices, angles and drop shots to throw her opponents off balance. But, Jabeur's fitness is mediocre, she's inconsistent at times and opponents who rush Jabeur can disrupt her variety.
Jelena Ostapenko smoked Emma Raducanu 6-2, 6-1 to kick off her Stuttgart campaign. Ostapenko won 77% of her service points and wasn't broken. On return, the Latvian won 55% of her return points, including 80% on Raducanu's second serve, breaking on five occasions.
The 2017 French Open champion has a 98-44 record on clay as a professional. While Ostapenko's serve can sit up in the box, she served well against Raducanu and her groundstrokes are extremely potent.
Ostapenko controls the baseline from both wings, as her groundstrokes cut through the court with pace into precise targets. Opponents are often overwhelmed with Ostapenko's pace, although she can lose her rally tolerance at times.
Jabeur is the higher-ranked player, but given her match against Raducanu, oppose Ostapenko at your risk. That was one of the best performances of the season, with the Latvian pairing power and precision nicely and leaving Raducanu helpless.
The Tunisian is at her best when she's dictating play and making her opponents uncomfortable with her variety. But, the Latvian will rush Jabeur and not give her time to produce the variety that she's known for. She's also not the fastest on court, which will be a problem when trying to track down Ostapenko's bullet-like groundstrokes from the baseline.
Pick: Ostapenko +3.5 games (-125 via PointsBet)
