Ash Barty is backed to show why she is world number one by beating Karolina Pliskova in the women’s singles final at Wimbledon.
The 25-year-old’s game has always appeared a perfect fit for grass, ever since she won the junior title here a decade ago, aged just 15.
Her opponent is gutsy but looks set to be outmaneuvered and outclassed, so 10/11 for the favourite to prevail 2-0 is our first Barty vs Pliskova prediction.
A Look At Ashleigh Barty’s Betting Odds
Barty arrived in London under a bit of a cloud after being denied the chance to win a second French Open title due to a hip injury.
When the Australian dropped a set versus Carla Suarez Navarro in round one, fears over her fitness only grew.
Barty was again not at her best against 22-year-old Russian Anna Blinkova, hitting nine double faults, but was rewarded for an aggressive game plan with a straight-sets win nonetheless.
She then eased past Katerina Siniakova and surprise Roland Garros winner Barbora Krejcikova before blitzing fellow Australian Ajla Tomljanovic.
In the semis, Barty got off to a fast start against Angelique Kerber and showed all the skills that make her the best player in the world right now to win 6-3 7-6.
“That match was a great level, the best level I’ve played in quite some time,” beamed Barty. “I think Angie is an incredible competitor. She brought out the best in me.”
A gracious Kerber commented: “She is a really intelligent player and she knows how to play also with her slice, and then she’s going forward with her forehand.
“You see that she has a lot of confidence, that she played a lot of big matches, that she’s the number one player in the world right now.”
Looking at the Barty vs Pliskova odds, we like 9/2 for the Aussie to take the opening set 6-4.
A Look At Karolina Pliskova’s Betting Odds
Pliskova, ranked 13 in the world, has produced a series of calm, assured performances to reach her second grand slam final, five years after losing to Kerber in the US Open decider.
Her campaign got off to a solid if unspectacular start with a 7-5 6-4 victory over Tamara Zidansek of Slovenia.
The next four rounds saw Pliskova make smooth progress past Donna Vekic, Tereza Martincova, Liudmila Samsonova and Viktorija Golubic.
Big-hitting second seed Aryna Sabalenka somehow managed to claim the first set of their semi, despite only having one break point to Pliskova’s eight.
However, the 29-year-old held her nerve and used all her experience, serving beautifully throughout to clinch her place in the final with a 5-7 6-4 6-4 triumph.
“I can’t believe it because coming into this tournament, the dream was to make the second week,” admitted Pliskova. “Because I was not in the second week for a while!”
The Czech has served consistently well throughout this event and 4/5 she fires down the most aces in this match is worth a saver in our Barty vs Pliskova betting tips.
Barty’s ability to adapt to different situations and overcome difficult moments in each set gives her the edge over a largely one-dimensional foe, though.
Additional stats
Last result:
BARTY beat Angelique Kerber 6-3 7-6
PLISKOVA beat Aryna Sabalenka 5-7 6-4 6-4
Head-to-head: Barty 5-2 Pliskova
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