Wozniacki Takes On Safarova In Stuttgart

Fifth seed Caroline Wozniacki will meet Lucie Safarova in the second round of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix tomorrow in what should be the tightest match of the day.

The former was the runner-up in this tournament back in 2011, just losing out to German Julia Gorges in straight sets (7-6, 6-3). The Danish star failed to show in last year`s competition.

In opposition, Safarova has never reached the final two in Stuttgart, her best finish being when being knocked out by plucky qualifier Anna Lapushchenkova in three sets in the quarter-finals of 2010. That match ended 7-6, 1-6, 6-1 to the Russian who would exit in the following round. Last year, Safarova would fail to make it past the first stage of the competition after meeting Maria Sharapova in her opening tie. Again, the Czech player managed to secure a set against the Russian though this failed to be enough, all three sets being decided by tie-breaks.

These two players have met in this tournament before, Safarova getting the better of Wozniacki in the second round on the way to recording her best ever finish. In what has been their only encounter on a clay surface, the 28-year-old took both sets by a score of six games to two.

All of bet365, betfred, Coral and paddy Power have 11/2 on Safarova taking the first set 6-4 once again. Indeed Coral have the same price on her winning the second set by the same scoreline. Ranked number 13 in the world, Safarova is 7/4 at Coral to win without dropping a set whilst paddy Power`s 4/1 says that either player will secure the game by a winning margin of exactly four games.

Despite her inferior standing, Safarova`s previous victory over Wozniacki in this 2010 tournament means that she is the favourite to take this tie by any means. The market leader can be backed at 8/11 with Coral to progress through to the third round. Otherwise, sportingbet have the best price of 5/4 on the fourth seed lining up a potential tie with Carla Suarez Navarro.

Both Safarova and Wozniacki have met on five other occasions, all on hard court surfaces. The latter leads the way with three victories to Safarova`s two. Including the Czech player`s win in Stuttgart, their head-to-head record is tied three a-piece.

Whilst her Danish rival`s seeded status meant that she received a bye into the second stage of the tournament, Safarova has already taken down one opponent in Germany. This was Ukrainian qualifier Kateryna Bondarenko. She took the first set on a tie-break before capturing the second with a six games to four victory.

Bet365 have the best price on their being a tie-break in tomorrow`s clash, that being 12/5. Should you believe that a tie-break will not be needed to separate the two women, you can get a price of 3/10 at the same bookmaker.

The pinnacle of Safarova`s year so far has been her picking up her sixth career title, this time in the Doha Open. The Brno born star knocked out top 10 opponents Ekaterina Makarova and Andrea Petkovic on her way to scooping the top prize.

Wozniacki has also earned herself a WTA title this year, beating Romanian Alexandra Dulgheru in the final in Kuala Lumpar despite losing the first set 6-4. She fought back to take the second by six games to two before only dropping one game in the concluding set.

Sportingbet have 7/1 on Wozniacki losing the first set tomorrow but beating Safarova whilst the reverse outcome (Safarova losing the first set but seeing off Wozniacki) can be picked up at 11/2 at the same bookie.

Go To bet365

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22/04/2015     © Frixo 2024