WTA Dubai Championship betting preview, tips and odds

TV: BT Sport 3, from 8am Sunday

Thirteen of the top 16 WTA Tour players are in the United Arab Emirates this week to contest the Dubai Duty Free Champion­ship and while picking a winner is not easy, there may be chances for punters to eliminate some of the bigger names from their search.

Naomi Osaka, who has become the world number one following her victories in the US and Australian Opens, is the top seed but the Japanese ace has reportedly not looked that impressive in practice at the Aviation Club.

Osaka, who parted company with her popular coach Sascha Bajin last week, and Simona Halep are two of the market leaders in Dubai and it could be tough for the Romanian to shine after a busy week in Qatar where she reached the final.

Aryna Sabalenka could rule the world one day but for the time being the Belarusian is still prone to playing the odd amateurish match, which may cost her in this company.

Kiki Bertens went all the way in St Petersburg recently, Garbine Mugu­ruza's confidence cannot be high and Elise Mertens may also be jaded after upsetting Halep in the Doha final.

Of the top seeds, those with the best credentials look to be Petra Kvitova and Elina Svitolina.

Kvitova, runner-up to Osaka in the Australian Open last month, will be focusing on trying to nab as soon as possible the world number one spot that has eluded her. Her record in the last 12 months has been exemplary and there could be more silverware coming her way this week.

Kvitova is a past winner too, having defeated Sara Errani in the 2013 final, while Svitolina is chasing a third successive triumph in the tournament.

There was no shame in the WTA Finals Singapore heroine being pipped by Halep last week. With question marks surrounding most of the seeds in the top half of the draw, there may not be much to stop her in that section, although unseeded Donna Vekic, who she is likely to open against, could hardly be playing better.

Julia Goerges is also in positive mood. Last year's Wimbledon semi-finalist is getting better with age and experience but may still find Karolina Pliskova difficult to pass should they meet in the last 16.

Aliaksandra Sasnovich goes from strength to strength and Sabalenka’s compatriot could also prosper in Dubai.

Recommendations
P Kvitova
1pt 7-1 bet365
E Svitolina
1pt 10-1 bet365, 188Bet

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