Iga Swiatek vs. Belinda Bencic prediction from SBR's Gary Pearson for their Wimbledon semifinal match on Thursday, July 10th:
Pick to win: Iga Swiatek 2-0 (-110 via DraftKings)
"Bencic will infiltrate the top 20 in the women's rankings regardless of the result against Swiatek, a remarkable accomplishment considering she gave birth just over a year ago.
While it's been an incredible run, I expect it to end against Swiatek, who has adjusted her game on grass and is having the best season since she won Wimbledon as a junior seven years ago.
She made it to her first final on grass since turning pro last month, losing to Jessica Pegula in the final at the Bad Homburg Open. She's 8-1 on grass this season, losing just one of 19 sets, excluding the straight sets loss to Pegula.
That presents a formidable challenge for Bencic, who had never made it past the fourth round at the All England Club beforehand."
Best prop bet: Belinda Bencic Under 10.5 games (-125 via DraftKings)
"Swiatek has won three of four previous meetings with Bencic, two of which via straight sets.
She's never had this much success with her serve, particularly on grass. In the first set against Liudmila Samsonova, Swiatek won 100% of her first-serve points.
Bencic was unranked entering the tournament and struggled to overcome fellow unseeded players Elsa Jacquemot and Elisabetta Cocciaretto, requiring three sets to do so.
And it's been a demanding 10 days for Bencic, who only rejoined the WTA Tour in January.
I believe the grueling road to the semifinal will be too much for her, particularly as she's facing a rejuvenated Swiatek who has her swagger back."
Pick to win: Iga Swiatek 2-0 (-110 via DraftKings)
"Bencic will infiltrate the top 20 in the women's rankings regardless of the result against Swiatek, a remarkable accomplishment considering she gave birth just over a year ago.
While it's been an incredible run, I expect it to end against Swiatek, who has adjusted her game on grass and is having the best season since she won Wimbledon as a junior seven years ago.
She made it to her first final on grass since turning pro last month, losing to Jessica Pegula in the final at the Bad Homburg Open. She's 8-1 on grass this season, losing just one of 19 sets, excluding the straight sets loss to Pegula.
That presents a formidable challenge for Bencic, who had never made it past the fourth round at the All England Club beforehand."
Best prop bet: Belinda Bencic Under 10.5 games (-125 via DraftKings)
"Swiatek has won three of four previous meetings with Bencic, two of which via straight sets.
She's never had this much success with her serve, particularly on grass. In the first set against Liudmila Samsonova, Swiatek won 100% of her first-serve points.
Bencic was unranked entering the tournament and struggled to overcome fellow unseeded players Elsa Jacquemot and Elisabetta Cocciaretto, requiring three sets to do so.
And it's been a demanding 10 days for Bencic, who only rejoined the WTA Tour in January.
I believe the grueling road to the semifinal will be too much for her, particularly as she's facing a rejuvenated Swiatek who has her swagger back."
