Linda Noskova vs Viktoria Hruncakova Prediction & Betting Tips - Lyon, France, Qualifying

Prediction published on 28/01/2023, 14:43  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 28/01/2023 at 15:45 in Tennis Predictions

Linda Noskova is the top seed in qualifying for the WTA Lyon event. She takes on Viktoria Kuzmova for a place in the main draw. Novoska is 56th in the live rankings. It's been a strange start to the year for the Czech player. Her first tournament of 2023 saw her reach the final of the first Adelaide International after having to play two qualifying matches. Novoska beat Daria Kasatkina and Ons Jabeur (both top ten ranked players) before losing in the final to Aryna Sabalenka. While her opponent went on to win the Australian Open, Noskova lost a three-setter to Katherine Sebov in the first qualifying round. That means she'll head to the French Open still not having made it past the first round of the main draw in a Grand Slam. This tournament has gone better for her so far with a first qualifying round victory over wildcard Margaux Rouvroy for the loss of just five games.

Viktoria Kuzmova is down at 123rd in the live rankings but has also had a good start to the year. The 24-year-old reached the quarter finals of the Auckland Classic earlier this month and beat the fourth seeded Bernada Pera in the last 32. Emma Raducanu retired in their last 16 match and Kuzmova then lost to the seventh seed Danka Kovinic in the quarter final. Like her opponent, she then lost in the first round of the Australian Open qualifiers, being beaten by Han Na-lae in straight sets. That was disappointing afer reaching the main draw for the past five years. The first qualifying round of this tournament saw her beat Cristina Busca. Kuzmova won the first set 6-0 but lost the second, winning only two games. The third set was won 6-4 to ge into this match against Noskova.  Back the Czech to win this match.