Belinda Bencic vs Veronika Kudermetova Prediction & Betting Tips - St. Petersburg, Russia

Prediction published on 06/02/2022, 09:00  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 06/02/2022 at 15:44 in Tennis Predictions

Belinda Bencic is the fifth seed for the St Peterburg Ladies Trophy. The world number 19 takes on Veronika Kudermetova in the first round. Second seeded Anett Kontaveit is in their part of the draw, so some tough battles lie ahead. Bencic has played in two tournaments so far this year. 2022 kicked off with a run to the last eight in Sydney, losing in three sets to Paula Badosa. The Australian Open didn't go too well for Bencic, losing in round two to Amanda Anisimova. Bencic reached the final of this tournament five years ago and made it to the last eight on her last appearance in 2020, losing to Maria Sakkari.  At one time last year, Bencic (who won the Olympic title) was as high as ninth in the rankings but dropped out of the top 20. She's back at 19 now and will hope for a good run this week.

Veronika Kudermetova is the world number 29 and has already played in one final this year. The Russia lost to Simona Halep in the final of the first Melbourne Summer Set tournament. It might have been a different story if scheduled semi-final opponent Naomi Osaka hadn't withdrawn. No one in the top 65 was beaten that week and she had two tough three setters. The Australian Open saw Kudermetova reach the third round. Two players outside the top 70 were beaten before losing to Maria Sakkari with only five games won. Her best performance in this tournament is a quarter final last year, being beaten by eventual champion (not defending her title this year) Daria Kasatkina. Six previous matches with Bencic have produced three wins for each player. Kudermetova beat Bencic in this tournament three years in a qualifying match. Three of the last four have been won by Bencic, the most recent in Doha last year.  Bencic can be backed to win this but it might take three sets.