First-round WTA action kicks off on Wednesday, 30 Sept, 2:30 pm AEST, with Mayar Sherif squaring off against Polina Kudermetova for the first time. If you are looking for top tennis tips, the numbers tell a compelling story about world rankings and season form. Sherif enters sitting at world No. 52, while Kudermetova holds down world No. 104.

With no prior head-to-head history between these two right-handers, punters are looking purely at current 2026 stats to find an edge. Sherif holds two career titles including one YTD title, while Kudermetova is still searching for her first career title.

Head to Head: Who Wins The Match?

The head-to-head market has Polina Kudermetova installed as the 1.45 favourite, with Mayar Sherif currently priced at 2.78. However, digging into the season win percentages reveals a clear stat hook that jumps off the page.

Sherif boasts a 9-6 YTD record (60% win percentage), whereas Kudermetova has struggled with a 3-8 YTD record (27% win percentage). Both players enter coming off a loss in their most recent start — Sherif fell on Wed, 2 Sept to Nikola Bartunkova, while Kudermetova dropped her last outing on Mon, 21 Sept to Kamilla Rakhimova. Given Sherif's higher ranking and superior season record, she rates a real chance as a head-to-head outsider.

Head to HeadOdds correct as at 2:15 pm AEST. Odds can change.
Our tipMayar Sherif2.60Polina Kudermetova1.45
Solid tickOur tip: Mayar Sherif. With 9 wins from 15 matches this year compared to Kudermetova's 3-8 record, Sherif rates a real chance at value odds.

Tipped at $2.78 (11:49 am AEST). Opinion, not a guarantee. Gamble responsibly — 18+.

Head-to-head context

0–0

Mayar Sherif vs Polina Kudermetova

100%Deciding set win % (form)0%

Set Handicap: Looking at the Line

In the set handicap market, the home side Mayar Sherif gets a +1.5 set line at 1.70, while Polina Kudermetova lays -1.5 sets at 2.10. The numbers say Sherif has consistently found ways to stay competitive, claiming 9 victories across her 15 matches this season.

Backing Sherif to win at least one set gets a big tick given her 60% YTD winning rate compared to Kudermetova's 27%. For Kudermetova to cover the -1.5 line, she will need a straight-sets sweep, which looks like a tough ask given her limited win count in 2026.

SetsOdds correct as at 2:15 pm AEST. Odds can change.
Our tipMayar Sherif +1.51.70Polina Kudermetova -1.52.10
Big tickOur tip: Mayar Sherif +1.5. Sherif's 60% YTD win percentage and world No. 52 ranking make taking the +1.5 set start a standout angle.

Tipped at $1.70 (11:49 am AEST). Opinion, not a guarantee. Gamble responsibly — 18+.

Set handicap (±1.5) form

−1.5 cover = won by two or more sets. Charts use recent completed scorelines.

Mayar Sheriflast 4

−1.5 cover rate25%1/4
+1.5 cover rate50%2/4
Straight-sets wins25%1/4

Polina Kudermetovalast 1

−1.5 cover rate0%0/1
+1.5 cover rate100%1/1
Straight-sets wins0%0/1
25%−1.5 cover % (form)0%

Total Games Market: Over or Under 21.5?

The games total is set at 21.5 games, with the Over priced at 2.00 and the Under at 1.80. In Kudermetova's most recent start on Mon, 21 Sept, her match went deep into three sets, showing she can stay locked in extended battles.

With the Under coming in as the shorter price at 1.80, the market leans toward a sharper finish. However, if Sherif asserts her superior season form, this match could easily push tight around that 21.5 games threshold.

GamesOdds correct as at 2:15 pm AEST. Odds can change.
Over 21.52.00Our tipUnder 21.51.80
Solid tickOur tip: Under 21.5. The 1.80 price on Under 21.5 games aligns with market expectations for a straightforward outcome.

Tipped at $1.80 (11:49 am AEST). Opinion, not a guarantee. Gamble responsibly — 18+.

Match total games

Average games from recent scorelines · marker shows live line 21.5.

Mayar Sherif matches (n=4)avg 21.8vs 21.5
1739
Polina Kudermetova matches (n=1)avg 35vs 21.5
1739

Hit rate vs 21.5

Mayar Sherifn=4
Over 25%Under 75%
Polina Kudermetovan=1
Over 100%Under 0%
10.3Avg games won (form)17