WTA Ostrava Open Semifinals Odds & Picks: Sakkari vs Azarenka & Sabalenka vs Brady

• The semifinal matches of the WTA Ostrava Open will take place Saturday, October 24
• This tournament is being played to make up for the many tournaments cancelled during the 2020 season
• Below are updated odds and previews of the matches with our best bets

The last time WTA Ostrava Open was played was in 1999 on carpet surface courts. Because of the pandemic, this tournament was one way to make up for the cancelled tournaments.

It did attract four top-20 players to participate, including former No. 1 Victoria Azarenka, who is playing in the first of two semifinal matches Saturday, and has been the favorite to win since the beginning of the tournament.

Sakkari vs Azarenka Semifinal Odds

Odds taken Oct 23 from DraftKings

Azarenka has had quite a bit of success on hard courts this season. She was the runner-up at the US Open, losing to Naomi Osaka, while winning the Western & Southern Open in August.

She lost the first set in the Round of 16 to Barbora Krejcikova, but the Belarusian was able to come back to win 2-6, 6-2, 6-1. In her quarterfinal match, she defeated Elise Mertens 6-4, 6-1, in a more challenging match that lasted an hour and 30 minutes.

Semifinal bound 🔜@vika7 takes it over Mertens, 6-4, 6-1 👏#jtbankaostravaopen pic.twitter.com/DWzi1kM4hB

— wta (@WTA) October 23, 2020

By the end of the match, Azarenka recorded 36 winners to Mertens’ 22. But arguably from the start  of the match, Mertens’ was the more aggressive player. But the aggression was almost too much as Azarenka, through tough offensive strikes, was able to force her opponent to rack up a fair share of errors. The errors from Mertens’ and the 36 winners from Azarenka ultimately led to her win, which earned herself a spot in the final four of the tournament.

Many didn’t expect Sakkari in the semifinals because of her bracket. Sakkari, unseeded, found herself defeating Elina Svitolina and Ons Jabeur, to earn her spot in the final four.

And into the semifinals she goes..
Maria Sakkari is the first semifinalist in Ostrava. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/LoifUpp8KD

— J&T Banka Ostrava Open 2020 (@JTBankaOpen) October 23, 2020

These two players have never faced each other before, so it’s sure to be an interesting battle between the two. Sakkari has only dropped one set in her three matches so far and has had the tougher route. This will most likely go three sets, and Sakarri might be able to send the former No. 1 home.

Best Bet: Sakkari (+170)

Sabalenka vs Brady Semifinal Odds

Aryna Sabalenka enters the semifinals following a massive comeback in her quarterfinal match. After going down a set, and not winning a game to qualifier Sara Sorribes, Sabalenka came back to win 0-6, 6-4, 6-0. Halfway through the second set, Sabalenka was actually down 0-6, 4-0, and that’s when she started the come back, wining 12 straight games.

What a rally!
What a point!#ShotOfTheDay | @SabalenkaA | @JTBankaOpen pic.twitter.com/lJ3Uk4LJ3L

— wta (@WTA) October 23, 2020

Jennifer Brady also found herself needing to stage a comeback in her quarterfinal match. The American came back to win 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-1, against qualifier Veronika Kudermetova to book her spot in the final four. It’s worth noting that this is actually Brady’s fourth semifinal appearance of 2020.

Sealed with an ace! 🔥@jennifurbrady95 defeats Kudermetova, (5)6-7, 6-3, 6-1.#jtbankaostravaopen pic.twitter.com/tG5J91fO6f

— wta (@WTA) October 23, 2020

The two players have never faced each other in their careers. Both have an overall strong game. But it’s Brady’s serve that could be the difference maker her. The American has recorded 30 aces this tournament alone, over the course of three matches.

Neither player had an exceptional quarterfinal. Both will be looking to come out on Saturday sharp and ready to go. It’s expected to be a close match, like the other semifinal match before them. Look for Brady to win in three sets, earning herself a spot in the final.

Best Bet: Brady (-175)