Jessica Pegula vs Ons Jabeur Odds & Prediction – WTA National Bank Open Quarterfinals
- No. 13 seed Ons Jabeur takes on unseeded Jessica Pegula in the National Bank Open quarterfinals Friday
- Both played late Thursday – Pegula didn’t finish until well after 1 am. They won’t start until 9 pm EDT
- Jabeur is the slight favorite; we break down the match and predict who will prevail
On paper, this National Bank Open quarterfinal section was the most highly-anticipated one.
No. 2 seed Bianca Andreescu vs No. 6 seed Simona Halep. The last two champions of the event. The Romanian against the Romanian-Canadian. Both Grand Slam champions.
Then real life intruded.
Instead, No. 13 seed Ons Jabeur will take on unseeded Jessica Pegula.
Jessica Pegula vs Ons Jabeur Odds
| Player | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jessica Pegula (USA) | +2.5 (-125) | +125 | O 21.5 (-130) |
| [13] Ons Jabeur (TUN) | -2.5 (-110) | -155 | U 21.5 (-105) |
Odds as of Aug. 13 at Bet365
Jabeur Takes Down Home Favorite
It was not that surprising to Ons Jabeur that a big gaggle of Tunisians living in Montreal showed up for her last two matches on the stadium court; she said there are Tunisians everywhere. And after she won, they celebrated her victory by chanting Tunisian wedding songs.
But it was a bit surprising to No. 2 seed Bianca Andreescu, the home-country favorite who had everything not go her way in Jabeur’s 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-1 upset win Thursday night.
🇹🇳 ❤️ @Ons_Jabeur #OBN21 pic.twitter.com/zNMhVhSqHr
— Omnium Banque Nationale (@OBNmontreal) August 12, 2021
It was a matchup of two craftswoman that delivered for most of a one-hour first set. Then things got dramatic.
Two rain delays intruded. And then a scary moment where Andreescu jammed an already banged-up toe into the front of her shoe. She went down in a heap on the court and burst into heaving sobs.
Given her star-crossed injury history, it was a human reaction. She played on but was hampered enough in her movement to make a difference. And in the third set, Jabeur simply stopped missing.
Jabeur has had back-to-back, late-night comeback wins in Montreal. She’ll be looking for another against the American Pegula Friday.
Pegula Outlasts Countrywoman Collins
If the Andreescu-Jabeur drama weren’t enough, Pegula and Danielle Collins followed it with a baseline tug of war in which the impassive Pegula, 27, outlasted the volatile American Collins (also 27) 6-4, 3-6, 7-5.
It took 2 1/2 hours, featured nine breaks of serve and ended Collins’s 12-match winning streak. Collins saved five match points, but the sixth was the charm.
Jessica Pegula converts her 6th MP to defeat Danielle Collins 64 36 75 to advance to the quarterfinals in Montreal.
The win ends Collins’ fantastic 12 match win streak.
Pegula has made 4 WTA 1000 quarterfinals in the last 12 months (Cincinnati, Dubai, Rome, Montreal). #OBN21
— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) August 13, 2021
And so Pegula continues an underreported great run in 2021. She didn’t kill it on the grass. And as a first-time Olympian she lost in the first round. But she was beaten by Belinda Bencic, who went on to win the gold medal.
Jessica Pegula vs Ons Jabeur Head-to-Head
| 27 (Feb. 23, 1994) | Age | 26 (Aug. 27, 1994) |
| Buffalo, NY | Birthplace | Ksar El Hellar, Tunisia |
| 5-7 | Height | 5-6 |
| 1 | Career WTA Singles Titles | 1 |
| 0 | Career Grand Slam Titles | 0 |
| No. 25 (June 20, 2021) | Career High Ranking | No. 22 (July 25, 2021) |
| No. 30 | Current Ranking | No. 22 |
| $2,275,943 | Career Prize Money | $3,546,450 |
| 30-14 | 2021 Won/Loss record | 36-13 |
| 1 | Career Head to Head | 0 |
A Contrast in Styles
Pegula is at her best against hard hitters; she hits hard enough herself, but also has more patience than average.
She can also throw in a slice, or a drop shot, here and there to change up the pace.
Jabeur’s skills are more readily on display. She uses the drop shot a lot – even on hard courts, and even when she doesn’t really have the feel that day. She also serves well and can hit winners from the baseline. She’s an expert in not allowing her opponent to get into a hitting rhythm.
Both have played late-night tennis, although Pegula played three hours later on Thursday. So even with the late start on Friday, Pegula is likely to be far more worn out and might take a while to get the body moving. Taking Jabeur to win the first set (-160) is a good play.
Jessica Pegula vs Ons Jabeur Match History
| Year | Tournament | Surface | Score | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Quebec City (R16) | Outdoor Hard | 7-6 (3), 6-4 | Pegula |
The previous match between Pegula and Jabeur was so long ago, the tournament doesn’t even exist anymore.
Working her way back from hip surgery, Pegula was ranked No. 227 and went from the qualifying to the final. Jabeur was ranked No. 116.
They are different players now, at the peak of their powers. But Jabeur will be the new “home” favorite.
Jabeur to win the first set – and ultimately the match, whether in straight sets or three sets – is at +100.
Best Bet: Jabeur in three sets (+275)
Stephanie gets the straight dope from the tennis insiders. On court, she has represented her country internationally. A BA in journalism led to years on the MLB beat and a decade covering tennis globally. She's written for Postmedia, the Guardian, the New York Times and also publishes OpenCourt.ca.
