Clara Tauson vs Viktorija Golubic Prediction & Betting Tips - Lyon, France, Qualifying

Prediction published on 06/03/2021, 18:05  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 06/03/2021 at 19:05 in Tennis Predictions

It's been a week of surprises in Lyon. The final takes place on Sunday with Clara Tauson taking on Viktorija Golubic and both had to qualify for this tournament. Danish player Clara Tauson is only 18 (ten years younger than her opponent) started the week ranked 139th in the world but is up to 108 in the live rankings. There's not even a photo of her on the WTA Tour site, but here she is in a final. Tauson has already won two titles this year, that was on the ITF Circuit in the UAE in January. Who did she beat in the final? None other than her opponent in this final. Another ITF title was won in Germany last month so it's been a good year for her. This week has been even better for her as it's a WTA circuit tournament. Two matches had to be won just to get into the main draw so to reach the final is some achievement. After two straight sets wins, Tauson took on world number 81 Camila Giorgi and beat her for the loss of just four games. Another 2-0 win came in the last four as she defeated seventh seeded world number 72 Paula Badosa. It was a tight 7-5 first set but the qualifier raced away in the second set losing just one game.

Viktorija Golubic is the world number 130 but going to be climbing to 101 and in the top 100 if winning this tournament. The Swiss player failed to qualify for the Australian Open main draw but it's still be a good year for her. First there was that final in the UAE and then last month, she won an ITF tournament in Grenoble, she must like France. Germany too as the week after she reached the semi-final of an ITF tournament there. This is her best week at this level in a fair while. After winning two qualifiers, she nearly lost in the first round having to come from a set down to beat Vera Lapko. Much better form was shown in round two as she beat third seed Carolina Garcia (world number 47) for the loss of just three games. Another tough match was in the last four when beating second seed Fiona Ferro (world ranked 46th). The first set was lost, the second won to love and the third in a tie-break. Another close match looks possible here but Tauson is in good form and had an easier week in terms of the number of games played. Go for her to win the title.