Ekaterina Alexandrova Favored to Overcome Viktoriya Tomova in US Open Round of 128
The US Open continues on Monday with a clash between Ekaterina Alexandrova, ranked No. 31, and Viktoriya Tomova, ranked No. 58, in the Round of 128. Alexandrova will enter the match as the favorite, boasting -227 odds to win, while Tomova seeks an upset at +170 odds.
Key Takeaways:
- This is a rematch of a recent meeting, with Tomova prevailing in their last encounter in May.
- Alexandrova has a strong head-to-head record against Tomova, winning two of their previous three matches.
- Both players are coming off tough losses in their most recent outings.
- Alexandrova performs well on hard courts, averaging 22.7 games per match in her last 36 hard-court matches.
Diving Deeper
Alexandrova’s Form:
Alexandrova enters the US Open after a disappointing semifinal loss to Lulu Sun at the Abierto GNP Seguros on August 23rd. Despite the recent setback, her overall performance on hard courts suggests she is a strong contender. In the past year, she has averaged 22.7 games per match on the surface, demonstrating her ability to maintain a consistent level of play. Her serve/return winning percentages on hard courts are also impressive, with a 69.9% success rate in service games and a 30.9% rate in return games. These numbers highlight her dominance in both serving and returning on the surface.
Tomova’s Form:
Tomova is also experiencing a rough patch of form, having been defeated in the Round of 16 at the Tennis in the Land by Arantxa Rus on August 21st. Though her overall statistics show an average of 19.4 games per match on hard courts in the past year, her recent loss suggests she might be vulnerable to an aggressive opponent like Alexandrova. Her service game win percentage on hard courts at 59.5% is impressive, but her 37.2% return game win percentage leaves room for improvement.
Head-to-Head Battle:
The history between these two players is a compelling narrative. Alexandrova has a slight edge in the head-to-head record, having won two of their three encounters. However, their most recent meeting in May 2024 saw Tomova emerge victorious, highlighting the unpredictable nature of their rivalry. Both players have shown the ability to win sets against each other, with Alexandrova taking four out of seven sets in their previous matches. This tight battle suggests a potential for a closely fought contest, with both players having their moments of dominance.
Looking Ahead:
The US Open clash between Alexandrova and Tomova promises to be a thrilling encounter with implications beyond just the Round of 128. The rematch adds a layer of intrigue, as does Alexandrova’s strong performance on hard courts. Tomova will have to overcome her recent struggles and capitalize on any potential weaknesses in Alexandrova’s game to secure an upset. The winner will advance to the Round of 64, setting the stage for greater challenges in their pursuit of the US Open title.
