Rebeka Masarova vs Jasmine Paolini Prediction & Betting Tips - Lyon, France, Qualifying

Prediction published on 29/01/2023, 16:33  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 29/01/2023 at 18:12 in Tennis Predictions

Qualifier Rebeka Masarova is up against unseeded Jasmine Paolini in the Lyon Open first round. The winner could well have a tough task in round two with the opponent being either Tereza Martincova or more likely, top seeded Caroline Garcia. Masarova began the year ranked 130th but rose to a career high 93rd after reaching the final of the Auckland Classic. The highest player beaten was Sloane Stephens and she could only win two games in her final against Coco Gauff. However, her Australian Open campaign ended in the second qualifying round with a three-set loss to Lucrezia Stefanini after winning the first set 6-1. Two qualifying matches had to be played to get into this Lyon Open first round. Her final qualifier was against Kara Juvan with a three-set victory taking Masarova into the main draw.

Jasmine Paolini is ranked 66th in the world and was as high as 44th last February. The Italian won a title on the ITF circuit late last year and had a three-set win over Masarova who was ranked 142nd at the time. Paolini has made a disappointing start to 2023. The first Adelaide International saw her win the first set in her first qualifying round match against Anna Bondar but lost the next two. Her first round match in the Hobart International was won but that was against world number 790 Patricia Maria Tig. The next round saw Paolini lose to fellow Italian Elisabeta Cocciaretto and only three games were won. In the Australian Open, the Italian lost in straight sets in round one to Liudmila Samsonova. That made it five consecutive first round exits in Grand Slam tournaments. Masarova looks to be in the better form and can get a win here, possibly needing three sets.