WTA Wuhan Open Odds & Betting Preview: Pliskova the Favorite in China
- The Wuhan Open, also known as the Dongfeng Motor Wuhan Open takes place from September 22 – 28 in Wuhan, China at the Optics Valley International Tennis Center
- It is a WTA Premier 5 tournament that is played outdoors on a hard court
- Karolina Pliskova is the favorite going into the tournament
The 2019 Wuhan Open is the sixth edition of the tournament and takes place in Wuhan, China. The reigning singles champion of the tournament is Aryna Sablalenka whose odds are +2200 this year and is the ninth seed. This tournament is the last Premier 5 of the year. Karolina Pliskova, Ashleigh Barty, and Simona Halep lead the odds at +800, +900 and +1000 respectively.
WTA Wuhan Open Odds
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Karolina Pliskova | +800 |
| Ashleigh Barty | +900 |
| Simona Halep | +1000 |
| Elina Svitolina | +1200 |
| Angelique Kerber | +1400 |
| Belinda Bencic | +1600 |
| Madison Keys | +1600 |
| Petra Kvitova | +1600 |
| Aryna Sabalenka | +2200 |
| Sofia Kenin | +2200 |
| Elise Mertens | +2800 |
| Karolina Muchova | +2800 |
| Petra Martic | +2800 |
| Kiki Bertens | +3300 |
| Victoria Azarenka | +3300 |
*Odds taken 9/21/19.
The only predictable thing about the WTA in 2019 is it’s unpredictability. Another tournament with the No. 1 world ranking up for grabs. This time it’s between Ashleigh Barty and Karolina Pliskova. And all eyes are on the Wuhan Open, where seven of the Top 10 players are participating.
Past Five Winners of the Wuhan Open
| Year | Player |
|---|---|
| 2018 | Aryna Sabalenka |
| 2017 | Caroline Garcia |
| 2016 | Petra Kvitova |
| 2015 | Venus Williams |
| 2014 | Petra Kvitova |
If Barty loses her opening match, Pliskova will return to No.1, but if Barty wins, then Pliskova will have to reach the semi, as well as advance a round further than Barty to gain the No.1 spot.
All of our previous champions are returning to the #WuhanOpen this year. Will one of them lift the trophy again? @Venuseswilliams @Petra_Kvitova @CaroGarcia @SabalenkaA @WTA @WTA_insider pic.twitter.com/2cPWSFi4n1
— Wuhan Open (@wuhanopentennis) September 19, 2019
Reigning Champ
The 21-year old Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus is looking to repeat as champion at the Wuhan Open. Last year she beat Estonia’s Anett Kontaveit in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3. As the No. 9 seed this year, she does not get a bye in the first round, and will be facing Fed Cup teammate, Aliaksandra Sasnovich, also from Belarus.
We have our defending Champion in the house ???? Welcome back to #Wuhan @SabalenkaA ? pic.twitter.com/jTejjqqtkg
— Wuhan Open (@wuhanopentennis) September 18, 2019
Sabalenka has now see fellow Belarusian’s in two of her last three opening round. If she were to beat Sasnovich, she could be seeing either Venus Williams or Danielle Collins.
World No. 1
Ashleigh Barty has drawn a tricky draw that could see her face some high seeds fairly early on. Barty is returning to the court for the first time since the US Open, and she’s hoping to make a run to the finals like she did in 2017. The Australian could see a rematch of that 2017 Wuhan Final as early as the second round with Caroline Garcia as a possible opponent.
Barty could also be seeing Sofia Kenin, who beat her at the Rogers Cup in Toronto, in the third round. Barty hasn’t had the best matches against Kenin, having difficulty navigating the American.
On top of the possibility of facing Sofia Kenin, Barty could also see Simona Halep and Belinda Bencic at some point.
No. 1 Seed
Karolina Pliskova was given the No. 1 seed for the tournament. She has also been given the best odds to win the tournament at +800. Behind her is Ashleigh Barty at +900, and the two are battling for World No. 1 this tournament. Drawn in the bottom quarter, Pliskova could possibly face French Open semifinalist, Amanda Anisimova in the second round.
Pliskova is coming off her first win in China after winning the 2019 Zhengzhou Open.
As the No. 1 seed in the tournament, Pliskova also received a bye in the first round,
Who to Watch
Belinda Bencic from Switzerland is coming into the tournament as the No. 7 seed with +1600 odds, and the one you should watch. Despite losing her last three matches in Wuhan, Bencic has every reason to want to do better this year. The US Open semifinalist is playing some of her best tennis. Her projected third-round opponent is Petra Martic, which could be her toughest match.
Best Bet: Pliskova (+800) or Barty (+900)
A graduate of Sport Media at Ryerson University, Hayley is the ultimate student of sports. Whether she is playing it, watching it, debating it, or writing it, it's safe to assume sport consumes the majority of her life. She has worked both internationally and with the NBA.
