World number three Jessica Pegula will be up against fellow American and 168th-ranked Taylor Townsend in the second round of the 2023 WTA Rome Open on Thursday, May 11. Get the predictions and odds of this Jessica Pegula v Taylor Townsend match along with its preview, head to head, and tips here.
- Other Rome Open match previews & predictions options here
Jessica Pegula v Taylor Townsend Head to Head
Their only meeting at the highest level came at the 2020 Australian Open where Townsend had won their opening round match.
Also Read:
Pegula Solid But Fails to Make Past Madrid Quarters
On the one hand, one can be reasonably pleased with the manner in which Pegula made it three wins in a row for the second clay court competition in running. She had done that to reach the semifinal of the Charleston Open before repeating that in Madrid to make the quarterfinals.
On the other hand, we are talking about the world number three here who is looking to break into the top two but is faced with the might of two of the best players since Serena Williams.
And to be able to do that, Pegula will need to do a lot better than just quarterfinal appearances. She will need to start winning titles, even if on clay which isn’t her most preferred surface.
Pegula’s best showing in this competition in Rome too has been a quarterfinal showing. Can she better than record as she prepares to make it through this relatively easy second round fixture?
Also Read:
Qualifier Townsend Overturns Slow Start
Having gotten knocked out of the Madrid Open qualifiers, Townsend did one better in Rome by overcoming Mirjam Bjorklund and Dalma Galfi in the qualifying rounds here.
But that’s not where it finished for the American who then overcame a first set loss to oust fellow qualifier Ysaline Bonaventure in the first round.
Townsend needed two hours and 10 minutes but she came through 4-6, 6-1, 7-5 against Bonaventure to set up this meeting with Pegula.
While Bonaventure maintained an upper hand throughout the first set, it was Townsend who wasted no time in levelling things out in the second. Bonaventure then grabbed a 3-1 lead in the decider and even served for the match at 5-3 only to see the American win four games in a row to clinch the encounter.
Can Townsend now put up a similar fight against Pegula?
Pegula v Townsend Prediction and Tip
It’s Pegula who starts a favourite and she shouldn’t have a lot of problems here. Expect a straight-set win for the world number three.
Tips:
- Low Risk Tip: Pegula to win in straight sets: 1/4
- Moderate Risk Tip: Under 19.5 games in the match: 5/6
The 2023 WTA Rome Open will be played from May 9 to 21. You can get all the tennis betting news with our tennis betting blog here. Also get rest of the tennis match previews here.
Be the first to comment