Tereza Martincova vs Gabriela Knutson Livesport Prague Open Preview and Expert Tip: Back Seasoned Veteran in All-Czech Tilt

Tereza Martincova vs Gabriela Knutson (Livesport Prague Open): Tuesday, August 1st

No harm, no foul, as Anastasia Potapova retired late in the opening set against Belinda Bencic. The Swiss did have a break of serve lead on three different occasions though and was the much better player – especially on return – leading into the retirement, so we’ll be happy with a proper assessment of the match.

The tennis continues on Tuesday, however, and we’ll look to the Livesport Prague Open for our second WTA preview of the week. Let’s take a deeper look at Tereza Martincova vs Gabriela Knutson.

Tereza Martincova vs Gabriela Knutson Expert Tip

Put simply, I can’t pass on a match that has an established tour veteran on her preferred surface as a three-game favourite against someone who has had a decent season, but who has never proven herself at this level or really against someone of Martincova’s calibre.

For me, this handicap has to be at least four games, if not getting up to 4.5 games.

Read on for more expert insights.

• Expert Tip: Martincova -3 Games at 1.85 with Pinnacle, using 5/10 stakes.

Tereza Martincova Recent Form

The 2023 season may not exactly be the year of Martincova, but there’s a reason the Czech has been ranked inside the world’s top-50 in the past and why she’s still well over 100 spots clear of her rival in this match in the rankings.

Some tough draws and less-than-stellar results on hard courts this season have seen the 28-year-old fall out of the top-100 in the world heading into this week.

The fact remains, however, that she does have the better game of the two, has played far more matches at the WTA Tour level than her compatriot and her forehand should be the best shot on the court in this match.

In terms of her struggles, it’s hard to fault her for losses to a counterpuncher and good quick courter in Lauren Davis or to the power of Madison Keys or the big serving of the in-form Yanina Wickmayer. Even a loss to Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova – a former mainstay in the top-25 – can’t be considered an egregious one.

It’s still taken some talented and competent tour-level talent to beat Martincova of late. I don’t think Knutson has come close to proving that she is at that level yet.

Gabriela Knutson Recent Form

As for the 26-year-old that now also represents the Czech Republic (she was born in California), there’s a reason the markets may be taking a liking to her.

She’s put together some strong results this year on hard courts, winning a pair of ITF titles and reaching another final. As I alluded to earlier though, the quality of competition, or lack thereof, in those runs is certainly a big red flag for me.

If we look at her best wins on the season, the first that comes to mind was her first qualifying round win here against Greet Minnen, a strong server, but a fairly one-dimensional veteran. Outside of that, I don’t think there’s even one win over a current or former tour regular.

Perhaps this is her breakout week where she gets her best wins of the year all in a few days, but I’m not sold just yet on her abilities at the WTA Tour level.

Tereza Martincova vs Gabriela Knutson – Stat of the Match

The stat of the match here has to be total matches played at tour level (whether in qualifying or main draws). These two are separated by just two years in age.

Yet this will be Knutson’s fourth ever match at this level and first in a main draw. Martincova on the other hand, is closing in on match No. 400 on the WTA Tour across both qualifying and main draw action.

It really illustrates the difference in level between these two. Even a Martincova that has struggled more this season than in others is well ahead of a surging Knutson in my ratings and I’m happy to back her here.

Odds as at am UK Time on August 1st, 2023. Odds may now differ.

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