WTA Second Round tips: Rakhimova can extend Selekhmeteva's recent wobble

A rematch seven months in the making goes live at 4:00 am AEST on Thursday, with Kamilla Rakhimova (ranked 92) facing Oksana Selekhmeteva (ranked 93) in the second round of the WTA tournament. The pair last met in February, when Selekhmeteva scraped through 6 7–2 5 on hard court, and both arrive off wins — Rakhimova beat Barbora Krejcikova on Monday, while Selekhmeteva saw off Aoi Ito the day after.

The head-to-head ledger sits at 1–0 in Selekhmeteva's favour, but the broader form lines and rankings hint at a different narrative this time around. Rakhimova enters the contest as favourite despite that February loss, and punters have taken notice — she sits at the short end of the head-to-head market while Selekhmeteva drifts out at the longer quote.

Can Rakhimova turn the ledger around?

Rakhimova (11–14 this season, 59–87 career) holds a modest edge in the rankings, but her recent stretch tells a story of resilience. The Uzbek right-hander has won three of her last five starts, including a straight-sets demolition of Kimberly Birrell in mid-August and that Monday win over Krejcikova. The only blemishes in that run came away from home — a three-set heartbreak against Maria Sakkari (2 7 1–6 5 6) and a straight-sets capitulation to Jessica Pegula (4 0–6 6).

Selekhmeteva (7–10 this season, 12–19 career) arrives on a three-match home winning streak, having dispatched Taylah Preston, Capucine Jauffret, and now Ito without dropping a rubber. The left-hander's last defeat was an away wobble against Katie Volynets (3 6–6 7) in late August, and her overall form reads three wins from four outings. The catch? All three of those victories came in home conditions, where she has looked far sharper than the 7–10 seasonal ledger suggests.

The only time these two clashed, Selekhmeteva edged a tight three-setter on hard court in February. That win remains her only head-to-head data point against Rakhimova, who will be keen to settle the score. The form since then — Rakhimova's superior ranking and three-from-five record, including two solid home wins in August — paints a picture of a player with the tools to level the ledger. The head-to-head market reflects that confidence, with Rakhimova installed as favourite despite the 1–0 deficit.

Sets Handicap: can Selekhmeteva keep it tight?

The Sets Handicap line has Rakhimova laying 1.5 sets, meaning she needs a 2–0 clean sweep to cover. Selekhmeteva gets the 1.5-set start, cashing if she wins outright or forces a third set. Given the February meeting went the full distance (three sets decided on a tiebreak in the decider), the case for Selekhmeteva to stay within 1.5 sets has genuine merit.

Both players have shown they can grind out tight rubbers — Rakhimova's recent wins include a tiebreak against Krejcikova, while Selekhmeteva's three home victories all featured at least one set decided by the narrowest of margins. The head-to-head history suggests neither folds easily, and Selekhmeteva's current home form (three straight wins) indicates she can stay competitive even if Rakhimova ultimately prevails. A two-set sweep feels ambitious given the pair's history and Selekhmeteva's ability to dig in when conditions suit.

Total Games: a tight contest looms

The Total Games line sits at 21.5, and the single head-to-head meeting offers a clue: their February clash produced a three-set marathon that would have sailed over any sub-22 line. Both players have recent form littered with tiebreaks and extended sets — Rakhimova's win over Krejcikova went 7 6–6 2, while Selekhmeteva's victories over Jauffret and Preston each required three sets with multiple games stretching into tiebreak territory.

If this rematch follows the script of their first encounter, the over looks a snug fit. Neither player has shown a tendency to blow opponents off the court in recent starts, and the rankings gap (a single spot) suggests the contest will be closer than the head-to-head odds imply. A two-set slog with at least one extended rubber, or a full three-setter, would comfortably clear 21.5 games. The under case hinges on a dominant straight-sets win from Rakhimova — possible, but not the most likely yarn based on what we've seen.

The verdict

Rakhimova shapes as the pick to level the head-to-head ledger, but this won't be a stroll. Selekhmeteva's home form suggests she can force at least one competitive set, and the February result proves she knows how to trouble the Uzbek. For punters chasing value, the overs line on games looks the safer angle — expect a contest that stretches beyond the minimum, even if Rakhimova ultimately gets the job done. Our tennis tips lean toward the favourite, but with respect for Selekhmeteva's ability to make it a scrap.