Leylah Annie Fernandez - Jessika Ponchet predictions and free betting tips [27/05/2024]

Some matches have their unique intrigue, such as the clash between Leylah Fernandez and Jessika Ponchet, which will be a classic duel of two skilful tennis players proficient on clay. However, they find it easier to play on hard courts, although their technical skills are well-suited for any "soft" surface, including clay.

Leylah Fernandez

Somehow, Leylah Fernandez missed her chance to globally promote her tennis persona, despite being the most talented player of 2019 when she first entered the tour. By the following season, she reached the decisive match at the WTA tournament in Acapulco and, in 2021, was in the US Open final, where she defeated many stars. Notably, in 2022, Fernandez reached the quarter-finals at Roland Garros, where she lost to Martina Trevisan as the favourite. Her technique was particularly praised when the Canadian accelerated the game pace, a tactic that caught challenging opponents at that US Open.

Last season, the Canadian won the tournament in Hong Kong, reached the quarter-finals of the Masters in Guadalajara, and performed commendably in Nanchang, where only Katerina Siniakova managed to defeat her. Furthermore, in the Billie Jean King Cup, the Canadian tennis player overcame all opponents, including Marketa Vondrousova.

This year, Fernandez is having a weak season, likely trying to maintain her ranking position and getting into form to play another powerful "main" tournament. On clay, Fernandez participated in all the major competitions, even travelling to Strasbourg, where she defeated Anastasia Potapova, but then lost to Ludmilla Samsonova. In general, the results aren't outstanding; nevertheless, Fernandez can be quite impressive when she gains top form, which happens rarely but effectively, as seen by her excellent performance in one "main" tournament per season over the past three years, securing trophies.

In the first round at Roland Garros, the Canadian will face Jessika Ponchet, who isn't considered a formidable tennis player but is capable of adequately preparing for this match to advance to the second round of the clay "Grand Slam" for the first time.

Jessika Ponchet

Frenchwoman Jessika Ponchet has won a total of 10 futures titles in her career. This may seem sufficient for her abilities, though some might consider it a modest achievement at the ITF level.

Last season, Ponchet had a decent number of well-played futures events, winning two of them on indoor hard courts. She also reached the final in Vitoria-Gasteiz on a standard hard court.

This year, Jessika also performed well in several futures on "soft" surfaces. For instance, in one ITF event in France, she reached the decisive battle for the trophy but couldn't defeat a British opponent from the WTA second hundred, despite being the match favourite.

The rallies with Leylah Fernandez will be fascinating, and Ponchet will try to spin the balls, using topspins, slices, and other technically challenging shots for her opponent, aiming to outmanoeuvre her tactically in this match. However, the Canadian is stronger, and the odds justifiably consider Jessika an underdog in the first round of the clay "Grand Slam".

Head-to-head

In 2017, Ponchet confidently defeated Fernandez on a hard-court future, although the Canadian was just starting her WTA tour career back then.

Match prediction: Leylah Fernandez vs. Jessika Ponchet

I'll place a handicap bet on Ponchet . It is unlikely that Fernandez will deliver a stellar performance in the first round of Roland Garros, and the Frenchwoman isn't an easy opponent to overcome effortlessly in this match.