Cincinnati 2024: Bianca Andreescu vs Elina Avanesyan preview, head-to-head, prediction, odds and pick
Match Details
Fixture: Bianca Andreescu vs Elina Avanesyan
Date: TBD
Tournament: Cincinnati Open 2024
Round: First Round (Round of 64)
Venue: Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio
Category: WTA 1000
Surface: Hard
Prize money: $6,795,555
Live telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | Canada - TSN | UK - Sky UK | India - Sony Liv
Bianca Andreescu vs Elina Avanesyan preview
The opening round of the 2024 Cincinnati will have Bianca Andreescu take on Elina Avanesyan in an exciting encounter.
Andreescu, a former Grand Slam champion, is coming off a disappointing first-round exit at her home event in Toronto. The Canadian earlier reached her first Tour-level final in a long time at Bad Homburg in June but has failed to follow up on the result.
Playing in her second tournament of the US Open-centered hardcourt swing, where she has had her biggest successes, Andreescu will look to improve upon her 8-5 win-loss for the season.
Avanesyan, meanwhile, finds herself in the middle of a solid season. She recently made her first Tour-level final at the Iasi Open to climb to a career-high ranking of No. 58.
Now playing under the Armenian flag after switching citizenship, Avanesyan has already played two matches in Cincinnati. She beat Lauren Davis to give Armenia its first Tour-level win since the early 1990s but fell against Harriet Dart next. She has been given a lucky loser entry into the main draw and will be keen on making the best of her second chance.
Bianca Andreescu vs Elina Avanesyan head-to-head
Andreescu and Avanesyan have never faced off against each other on the Tour before, so their current head-to-head stands at 0-0.
Bianca Andreescu vs Elina Avanesyan odds
(Odds to updated)
Bianca Andreescu vs Elina Avanesyan prediction
Given her status of a Grand Slam champion and her vast level of Tour experience, Bianca Andreescu will come into this contest as a firm favorite.
That said, the Canadian will need to be wary of her dogged opponent. Elina Avanesyan, while much more comfortable on the slower claycourts, has the weapons needed to trouble the best on Tour.
The Armenian has powerful groundstrokes off both wings, with a topspin heavy forehand anchoring the game. She can, however, flatten out the backhand to take on a more aggressive role in the contest.
Andreescu too employs a similar style of game and this contest could well turn into an intense baseline tussle.
Avanesyan is unlikely to make things easy for her opponent, but the quicker conditions and a more reliable serve (73% service games won vs her opponent’s 61% for the season) should tilt things in Andreescu’s favor.
Pick: Andreescu to win in three sets