2022 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships Best Bets for February 16 (Archive)
The high-level women’s tennis continues in Dubai. With 900 ranking points on the line, these players are giving it their all to win the first premier event of the 2022 season.
Let’s take a look at tonight’s schedule to find the winning WTA picks.
Dayana Yastremska vs. Barbora Krejcikova
February 16, 2022 – 06:15 AM EST at Court 1
Betting Analysis on Krejcikova
Barbora Krejcikova was definitely the breakout star of 2021. Krejcikova used her first Grand Slam title, the 2021 French Open, to catapult herself to the top of the WTA rankings. Krejcikova is now ranked number 3 in the world.
Krejcikova made the quarterfinals of the Australian Open before falling to an in-form Madison Keys. Krejcikova will be looking to grab ranking points here with the strong performance in Dubai. The Czech prefers a defensive style of tennis but is very adept at attacking the net if she is presented with short shots.
Betting Analysis on Yastremska
Dayana Yastremska is one of the most controversial players on tour. Yastremska recently had to serve a PED (Performance Enhancing Drug) suspension but is now back on tour. The Ukrainian is a powerful player who prefers an aggressive style of tennis. When Yastremska is on, she can dial up her forehand with the best of the women on tour.
Another reason for Yastremska's controversy is her use of the MTO (Match Time Out) as a tactical maneuver. Yastremska is known for taking an MTO whenever she is losing momentum in a match.
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Yastremska is derided for her tactical use of the MTO to try and reverse momentum in a tennis match. She has many calling for a change in the rules on Match Time Outs. However an acceptable solution has yet to be found, and Yastremska is still using the Match Time Out to her tactical advantage.
The Ukrainian has had a slow start to the season but she is picking up her form here in Dubai. After winning her three qualifying matches, Yastremska was able to come out on top against Irina Begu in the first round. In the match, Yastremska was able to save an astounding 80% of breakpoints (8-10).
WTA Dubai Pick
I think Krejcikova will get it done in a quick fashion here. This is a huge step up in talent compared to the women that Yastremska has been facing so far this season.
While Yastremska has excellent talent, she's nowhere near the form that she once had. The Ukrainian will need more matches to be able to compete against the top level of the WTA like Krejcikova. The first bet for WTA Dubai is the Barbora Krejcikova/Dayana Yastremska under 20.5 games.
WTA Pick: Krejcikova/Yastremska Under 20.5 Games (-115) at BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)
Simona Halep vs. Elena Gabriela Ruse
Wednesday, February 16, 2022 - 11:15 AM EST at Center Court
Betting Analysis on Halep
Simona Halep had an excellent start to the 2022 season winning the Melbourne Summer Set 1 WTA tournament. Halep only dropped one set en route to winning the title in a dominating fashion.
The former number 1 has had many changes over the last year, including becoming a married woman. Yet with all these distractions flying around her, she is still focused on tennis like the true professional that she is.
Halep had a disappointing end to her Australian Open run where she fell to Alize Cornet in the round of 16. The match was a back-and-forth tilt and unlike most of her matches, she was not able to come out on top. Halep will definitely be looking for redemption to get herself back on the track here in Dubai.
Due to her high ranking, Simona Halep received a bye and this is the second match she will play in Dubai. Her first match was a dominating 6-2, 6-4 win over Alison Riske. Today she will face Elena Gabriela Ruse, who did have to go through qualifying to enter this tournament.
Betting Analysis on Ruse
Ruse played very well in the qualifying and beat tough players Jasmine Paolini and Ajla Tomljanovic, both in straight sets. She then recorded her best win over the season, a 3 set thrilling victory over Paula Badosa in the first round. The Romanian relied on her consistent groundstrokes in order to get the win over Badosa.
Ruse only had 1 ace and 8 double faults. She was effective on her return of serve however and converted 50% (5-10) of her breakpoints. The win over the world number five Paula Badosa shows that Ruse is playing her best tennis of the season.
WTA Dubai Pick
I like Simona Halep to get the job done here quickly and the WTA odds on the total have started moving down at some of the top sportsbooks. This is an excellent style matchup for Halep because she can beat Ruse in the style that her rival prefers. Halep beat Ruse 6-2, 6-1 in the Melbourne Summer Set tournament in January. I expect Halep to get another dominating victory.
The last bet for today's WTA Dubai matches is Simona Halep/Elena Gabriela Ruse under 19 games.
WTA Picks: Halep/Ruse Under 19 Games (-110) at Bovada (visit our Bovada Review)
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.