I told you earlier today (see previous post) that I was keen on my two early picks today at odds of circa 3.0+ and 4.33+ and the charming Anna Schmiedlova has just got the day off to a good start, beating Venus Williams in three sets, but we had a profit tied up before long before that......
Karolina Anna Schmiedlova- Venus Williams
These two met in Miami earlier this year with the older Williams sister, who will turn 35 yo in a couple of weeks, winning 3 & 3.
The seven-time Grand Slam champion arrived in Paris with more wins at this stage than any season since 2010, since when she has struggled with the autoimmune disease Sjogren's syndrome. There have been a few false dawns since the diagnosis and even David Witt, her longtime hitting partner, said her health remains a day to day issue. But did add that "when she sticks to her strategy and keeps matches short, she can threaten all comers". That is not quite so easy on clay and it has never been the best surface for either Williams sister and despite having one final at RG to her name, that did come at her peak, a dozen years ago and she has only made it past the 3rd round twice in the last nine years.
Venus went into their least meeting on a high, after winning in Dubai, her first title in over two years in her previous tournament, but on clay since has not shown anything to make us feel she is suddenly going to find top form on a surface which clearly doesn't play to her strengths.
Schmiedlova is 14 years her junior, so, if any improvement is to come, it will be from her and the Slovakian has made three Challenger clay court finals (winning two) since they last met and winning, wherever it comes and regadless of opponent, is habit forming and breeds confident. She has played 53% of career matches on clay, even at her peak, Venus would only schedule three European events on the surface at best and often, you suspect, to get some hitting practice for the grass court season.
Seven time French Open champion Chris Evert said last week tha : "I still think she makes too many errors,I don't think the players are intimidated by her any longer."
Venus can and perhaps should win this, but the younger player seems overpriced at 4.20 +.
The first meeting was closer than the scoreline suggests (you can watch it on this link...
Part 1 (Preview) ), Venus was coming off her best result in years, is now on her worst surface and Schmiedlova on her best, the younger girl plus 5 games with Pinnacle is also tempting.
1 unit Karolina Anna Schmiedlova to win 4.0-4.46 general quote.....Pinnacle Sports are biggest.
0.5 units Venus Williams to win 2-1 sets 4.0 +
Good Luck.
