Tianjin Open Semifinals Odds & Pick: Ons Jabeur vs Rebecca Peterson

• The first semifinals match of the Tianjin Open will take place tonight at 11:00 pm EST
• Ons Jabeur of Tunisia will face Rebecca Peterson of Sweden in the semifinals of the Tianjin Open
• This is the first time the players have faced each other

The Tianjin quarterfinals were a surprise, with the number 6, 3, and 8 seed losing their matches, including China’s last remaining contender, Wang Yafan, who lost to semifinalist Rebecca Peterson, who came back after losing the first set. Peterson’s Tianjin Open odds were +1400 going into the tournament and put her sixth in odds.

2019 Tianjin Open Semifinals Odds

*Odds taken 10/11/19

Jabeur’s Road to the Semifinals

Ons Jabeur was an unexpected semifinalist. Not included in the top 15 odds going into the tournament, she defeated no. 6 seed, Yulia Putintseva in straight sets, 7-6, 7-6. She only managed to serve 45% of her first serves into play. But it was her returns that allowed her to win. Jabeur was able to take advantage of 66% of her break point opportunities. Jabeur is competing in her first Tianjin Open semifinal.

WOW, @Ons_Jabeur.
JUST… WOW.#ShotoftheDay | @TianjinOpen pic.twitter.com/Un5bbcL72p

— WTA (@WTA) October 11, 2019

Jabeur hasn’t dropped a set all tournament. And now she will be looking for her second WTA Tour final, after not being able to make it for a whole year.

Peterson’s Road to the Semifinals

Rebecca Peterson sent home the last Chinese player, Wang Yafan, dismissing the chance of a Chinese winner on home soil. Peterson won in three sets, after losing the first. She was able to break Yafan’s serve six of 11 times.

Peterson wasn’t only victorious against the Chinese in the quarterfinals. Many dismissed her after she drew Venus Williams as her first match. But the Swede was able to send Williams home in three sets as well. Peterson has definitely had the tougher go throughout the tournament to lead her to the semifinals, but she’s been able to prove her ability to dig deep and come through on top.

Head-to-Head

The two young players have yet to face each other on a WTA tour. Ons Jabeur is currently ranked 61st in the world and Rebecca Peterson is ranked 59th. Peterson has played quite a few more matches in 2019 than Jabeur has. Peterson’s 2019 record is 32-21 and Jabeur’s is 19-20. Now, despite having no WTA Tour-level matchups between the two, they have technically seen each other once before. Peterson and Jabeur faced off in an ITF circuit in 2018. Peterson beat Jabeur in straight sets, 6-2, 6-3.

In the matchup tonight, Peterson has the upper hand for a few reason. She’s played more matches this year, she’s had her challenges this tournament, having faced Venus Williams in the first round, and she’s showcased her strong presence on the court.

The stage is set! Who is advancing to their first Tianjin Open final? #tianjinopen #ittakeswta #tianjin #china @WTA @Ons_Jabeur @HeatherWatson92 @beckspeterson #kudermetova pic.twitter.com/RkQNb4t1N0

— Tianjin Open (@TianjinOpen) October 11, 2019

Best Bet

The best bet in this match is Rebecca Peterson. Despite not seeing each other on a WTA Tour-level match, they have played against each other before. And since Peterson handed Jabeur the loss in 2018 in a pretty dominant match, you can imagine that could happen again. What makes it possible that it will go three sets, is that Jabeur hasn’t dropped a set yet this tournament.

Peterson is expected to win with -170 odds, compared to Jabeur’s +140. She won’t be handed the match by any means, but expect Rebecca Peterson to be competing in the 2019 Taijian Open finals this weekend. The winner of this match will take on either Heather Watson or Veronika Kudermetova who play right after.