It’s Day 4 of an exciting week at the WTA Jiangxi Open in Nanchang! Spots in the quarterfinals are at stake, so who will win and who will fall? Read on to find out!
WTA Jiangxi Open Day 4 Predictions
Elena Rybakina vs Xinyu Wang
Head to Head: never played
Elena Rybakina battles Xinyu Wang for a spot in the quarterfinals in Nanchang. Rybakina beat Ankita Raina in three sets in the first round of the Jiangxi Open. She has had a breakthrough year and played very well to qualify for the US Open. Wang survived a tough test from Xinyu Gao, winning in three sets. Wang also did well to qualify for the US Open. Both of these players are in-form.
These two have never played before. Rybakina is the much higher ranked player and has a very powerful game. She can take control of rallies with her huge forehand and force Wang to go on the defensive. Wang will need to try to not be pushed back behind the baseline. I expect Rybakina to overpower Wang and advance to the quarterfinals.
Prediction: Rybakina in 2
Samantha Stosur vs Nina Stojanovic
Head to Head: never played
Samantha Stosur takes on Nina Stojanovic for a place in the Jiangxi Open quarterfinals. Stosur survived a set point in the first set of her first round match against Arina Rodionova, but saved it and won the match in straight sets. Stojanovic comfortably beat Yafan Wang in her first round match.
These two have never played before. Stojanovic is in great form, having won a title last week (although it was on clay) and generally having played great tennis over the summer. Stosur showed great mental toughness in getting through that first set and beating Rodionova. When Stosur is playing well, she is able to control the court with her serve and heavy forehand. However, this is not the Stosur that won the US Open and Stojanovic is playing fantastic tennis. Stojanovic moves on.
Prediction: Stojanovic in 3
Shuai Zhang vs Lin Zhu
Head to Head: tied 1-1
A trip to the quarterfinals in Nanchang is at stake as Shuai Zhang takes on Lin Zhu. Zhang comfortably beat Aleksandra Krunic in the first round. Zhang made the third round of the US Open. Zhu easily beat Peangtarn Plipuech in the first round. Zhu qualified and won a round in the Bronx and made the second round of the US Open.
The head to head is tied 1-1. However, Zhu beat Zhang in the Nanchang quarterfinals last year in three sets. Zhang is known for her power game and she will try to force Zhu on the defensive. Zhang is the better player, but Zhu is also in good form right now.
Prediction: Zhang in 3
Shuai Peng vs Kristyna Pliskova
Head to Head: tied 1-1
Shuai Peng takes on Kristyna Pliskova for a spot in the Jiangxi Open quarterfinals. Pliskova beat Stefanie Voegele in straight sets to reach the round of 16. Peng comfortably defeated Paul Badosa Gibert in her first round match. Both players made the second round of the US Open, Peng coming from qualifying.
The head to head is tied 1-1, with Pliskova winning the latest meeting early this year when Peng retired at 3-3 in the third set. Plisokva will look to have as few long rallies as possible, trying to win using first-strike tennis. Peng plays with two-hands on both the forehand and the backhand and she is able to be very precise with her groundstrokes and she is also very fast around the court It’s this speed that will allow her to track down some hard-hit balls and frustrate Pliskova. Peng advances.
Prediction: Peng in 3
