Comeback heroine Allie ready to kick on against Imanishi

WTA Honolulu & WTA Mumbai
Day three, from 9.30am Wednesday

Allie Kiick could be a shade of value to progress to the last eight of the Hawaii Open with a second-round victory over Miharu Imanishi in Honolulu.

There were high hopes for Kiick in her early years on the WTA Tour. A battle with skin cancer and four knee surgeries meant it didn't happen for the American in her initial sorties in the upper echelon, but there's still plenty of time for Kiick and she is trying hard to make her second bite at the cherry a more meaning­ful one.

The Japanese players are out in force in Hawaii this week and Imanishi made light work of compatriot Ayano Shimizu in round one, winning 6-2 6-2.

Kiick defeated useful Chinese player Xinyun Han 7-5 6-4 in her opener and the form could prove superior to that of Imanishi.

In Mumbai, top seed Aryna Sabalenka, who recently contested the Fed Cup final for Belarus, opens her title tilt with a clash against Priscilla Hon.

Sabalenka could well over­power the slight Australian and post a straight-sets victory, but she has already been backed to do so and a best price of 4-7 doesn't exactly scream value considering Hon performed well in a recent defeat to dual 125K champion Belinda Bencic.

Recommendation
A Kiick
1pt 10-11 BetBright, Betway

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