tennis | Wednesday, July 5, 2023 8:34 AM

Wednesday Tennis Best Bet: WTA Wimbledon, Victoria Azarenka vs Nadia Podoroska

Jon Reid

Victoria Azarenka vs Nadia Podoroska Best Bet: Wednesday, July 5th

Much like the men’s article, no recap for our big women’s bets either with rain wreaking havoc on the schedule at The Championships. That means Linda Noskova will play Wednesday and the bets will grade then.

For our Wednesday preview of the women’s draw, let’s delve into the match-up between Victoria Azarenka and Nadia Podoroska.

In this article:

Victoria Azarenka vs Nadia Podoroska Preview
Victoria Azarenka vs Nadia Podoroska Best Bet

Victoria Azarenka vs Nadia Podoroska Preview

Wed, July 5th, 18:30 (UK Time)

Much like her compatriot in Ilya Ivashka whom we previewed in the men’s article for Wednesday, Victoria Azarenka has a great chance to put some poor form firmly in her rearview mirror with her match on Wednesday against Podoroska.

Also much like Ivashka, many of Azarenka’s losses on grass this year have come against players that thrive in quicker conditions with big power from the baseline and flatter hitting.

Podoroska’s forehand would fit into the power game category, but she’s certainly not a flatter hitter and she also needs time to set up the big cuts she takes at the ball from the baseline.

That’s not something Azarenka is likely to give her with an incredible power game of her own. She also possesses a massive edge when it comes to the service game, with Podoroska being vulnerable behind both her first and second deliveries.

It’s been a tough few months for the Belarussian, who hasn’t won back-to-back matches at an event since February, but outside of the French Open (played on slower clay), Azarenka has made the second week of the last two Australian Open tournaments, as well as last summer’s U.S. Open. On quicker surfaces, she tends to perform well at the highest level. With a beatable opponent and a need to find form, Azarenka looks to be a great option to back on Wednesday.

Victoria Azarenka vs Nadia Podoroska Best Bet

Despite her underdog win on Monday, I’m nowhere near convinced by Podoroska. She was a set down and needed some incredibly poor decision-making from Martincova on return, as well as sloppy unforced errors to earn the comeback victory.

It’s hard to see her getting that lucky against Azarenka, who is a much better player, likes quick courts and has even more power to rush the error-prone Podoroska on the lower-bouncing, slice grass courts.

I’ll back Azarenka to get this one done in quick fashion by taking the under on a total that I think is a game too high.