On day three at the Guangzhou Open in southern China, a number of the biggest stars in the women’s game, including Wimbledon and US Open semifinalist Elina Svitolina and former-Grand Slam champion Samantha Stosur, will battle for a place in the quarterfinals. And here at LWOT, we’re offering predictions for all of the day’s matches. But who will book their place in the last eight?
WTA Guangzhou Open Day Three Predictions
Sofia Kenin vs Katarina Zavatska
Head-to-head: first meeting
Sofia Kenin, who has enjoyed an excellent year, will look to continue her fine form as the season heads into its final weeks. But standing between her and a place in the Guangzhou Open quarterfinals is the Ukrainian qualifier Katarina Zavatska, who scored a battling 5-7 6-4 7-6 win over fellow young gun Fiona Ferro in the first round. But as impressive as the 19-year-old’s run in Guangzhou has been, it is hard to see her getting the better of Kenin. The American is an excellent competitor and is superbly consistent off the ground. Expect her to prove too strong for Zavatska.
Prediction: Kenin in 2
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Jasmine Paolini vs Zheng Saisai
Head-to-head: first meeting
Zheng Saisai will surely be looking for a strong end to what has been a solid season during this Autumn’s Asian swing. And after a good run to the quarterfinals in Zhengzhou last week, she made a good start to her Guangzhou Open campaign by battling back from a set down to beat her compatriot Duan Yingying 6-7 7-6 6-1. Jasmine Paolini, meanwhile, has had to work exceedingly hard for her place in the second round after battling through back-to-back three-setters in qualifying and again being taken the distance in the first round up against Tamara Zidansek. Unfortunately, that seems likely to leave her short of much-needed energy up against the consistent Zheng.
Prediction: Zheng in 3
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Nina Stojanovic vs Peng Shuai
Head-to-head: Peng 1-0 Stojanovic
Though much of her success in recent years has come in doubles rather than singles, Peng Shuai proved that at her best she is still a force to be reckoned with by dismissing her compatriot and second seed Wang Qiang 7-5 6-2. She will need to maintain the level she displayed in that match up against Nina Stojanovic of Serbia, who has impressed during the Asian swing and beat Magdalena Frech in the first round. But with the crowd behind her and the conditions looking favourable, expect the Chinese veteran to come out on top in this one.
Prediction: Peng in 3
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Andrea Petkovic vs Zhang Shuai
Head-to-head: Petkovic 3-0 Zhang
Andrea Petkovic may not be the force she once was, but the former-world #9 can still more than hold her own on tour and scored a fine 7-5 6-7 6-3 win over Holland’s Lesley Pattinama Kerkhove. And she may well feel confident about her chances of backing that win up against Zhang Shuai. Although the 11 double faults she hit will be a concern, she also struck 11 aces. More importantly, Petkovic owns a commanding head-to-head lead over the Chinese fourth seed and beat her just last month in the Bronx. Expect the German to claim another upset win at the Guangzhou Open in a matchup that clearly suits her.
Prediction: Petkovic in 3
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