Top-seeded Ons Jabeur defeated Diane Parry 7-6 7-5 on Tuesday at WTA Ningbo. In the second round, she has to face Tamara Korpatsch and will be hoping to win consecutive matches for the first time since the US Open. Who do you think will prevail?
WTA Ningbo Day 3 Predictions
Petra Kvitova vs Yulia Putintseva
Head-to-head: Kvitova 3-0
This match won’t be played out as Yulia Putintseva withdrew after beating Daria Saville in the opening round. Petra Kvitova would have been the favorite with the conditions in Ningbo suiting her game and a positive head-to-head record against the Kazakh. All the firepower of the Czech probably would have allowed her to hit through the gritty opponent, but she’s not going to have to prove it and gets a safe passage to the quarterfinals.
Prediction: –
Lucia Bronzetti vs Kateryna Baindl
Head-to-head: Baindl 1-0
Lucia Bronzetti’s tennis talent generally doesn’t scream out at you, but the Italian has done some great work recently with the quarterfinal in Guangzhou and a third-round appearance at the US Open. Just a month ago, she was supposed to face Kateryna Baindl at the WTA 125 in Chicago. Her opponent pulled out of that one, but their paths will cross here again. Bronzetti’s made a ton of progress since Baindl crushed her in Courmayeur two years ago. Expect her to show it.
Prediction: Bronzetti in 2
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Kamilla Rakhimova vs Diana Shnaider
Head-to-head: Shnaider 1-0
Two years ago, Diana Shnaider caused a massive upset by beating Kamilla Rakhimova in Moscow qualifying. Two years later the situation is completely different as they’re now holding similar positions in the WTA Rankings. The 19-year-old should have a higher ceiling in the long run and the outcome could depend on her level a little bit more. Is her game polished up already? Not completely, but she’s been doing okay during this Asian Swing.
Prediction: Shnaider in 3
Ons Jabeur vs Tamara Korpatsch
Head-to-head: First meeting
Ons Jabeur went out to Martina Trevisan in Guadalajara and despite a big jump in terms of the conditions, she probably had enough time to fly over and get used to the courts in Ningbo. Her first match against Diane Parry was a very competitive two-setter and we’ll see if Tamara Korpatsch can provide a similarly tough challenge. She might struggle to do that with a more conventional game and less ability to take the racket out of Jabeur’s hands.
Prediction: Jabeur in 2
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke – USA TODAY Sports
