The Pick: Belinda Bencic vs. Sara Sorribes Tormo, WTA Ostrava second round

After an inconsistent beginning to her 2021 campaign, Belinda Bencic has found some excellent form. The highlight of her season—and career—was her gold medal run in Tokyo, but she’s reached the quarterfinal round in her last three tournaments.

According to the oddsmakers, Bencic is a solid -4 game favorite over Sara Sorribes Tormo. Typically this spread would be a bit too rich for my blood, but given her recent form, and the quick indoor hard court in Ostrava, she should have her way with the Spaniard.

Sorribes Tormo presents a nightmarish matchup for many players on the WTA tour. But Bencic’s ability to hit the ball on the rise and finish at the net should serve her well against Sorribes Tormo, who relies on consistency and fitness to outlast her opponents.

According to UTR’s new Insights tool, Bencic has a 60 percent chance to advance, but when you factor in the surface and the matchup, it’s definitely a bit higher. Much like Anett Kontaveit’s beatdown over Paula Badosa Gibert on Wednesday, betting on a player who excels indoors against a Spaniard who prefers outdoor clay is never a bad play.

The Pick: Belinda Bencic -4 games