I am not entirely sold on the level of Haddad Maia to start 2024. The Brazilian finished her 2023 season strongly when others were fading and fatiguing, however her start to this season has been below par for her standards. I just get the feeling when you cast an eye back over her recent form, that a player who is solid off both wings and has a first serve decent enough to not be punished is a player that can cause the Brazilian a bit of grief.
I’ve certainly been more impressed with the overall level of Katie Boulter more recently, and it was another strong showing in round 1 with a strong win over Tsurenko. The Brit has done a large amount of work on improving her consistency in her level, and she is now reaping the rewards of that work. I think she has all the tools to not only challenge Haddad Maia here, but come out on top.
Suggested Bet:
1 unit Boulter to defeat Haddad Maia at $2.30 at Bet365
Over 18s Only (21+ in some jurisdictions). 1 unit = 1% of bankroll. These are my bets that I am making. Please enjoy your betting responsibly. Never bet more than you can afford to lose, and do not chase a loss.