There is an exciting week in store at the WTA Hong Kong Open. Teenage sensation Mira Andreeva is one of the players in action. Her match is one of three predicted in this article. We at LWOT also have a separate article predicting the rest of the day’s contests in Hong Kong- this includes Xiyu Wang vs Katerina Siniakova. But which players do you think will reach the second round?
WTA Hong Kong Day 1 Predictions
Priscilla Hon vs Eudice Chong
Head-to-head: First meeting
This is a great opportunity for both players to get a WTA main draw win. Hon is just inside the Top 200, while Chong is outside the Top 200, and has been given a wildcard for her home tournament. Hon’s general form recently has been the better of the two players. The Australian won an ITF event last month in her home country. Chong may need her home crowd to inspire her here. Hon will need to adjust to fans being against her, but she is still likely to have the edge at the WTA Hong Kong Open. Her all-round game is the stronger of the two players.
Prediction: Hon in 3
[cta id=4013 type=cta]
Yulia Putintseva vs Anna Blinkova
Head-to-head: Putintseva 1-1 Blinkova
Blinkova’s season overall has been the stronger of the two players. She is currently 34 places higher in the rankings than Puintseva. However, Putintseva has had better results so far during the Asian swing. The Kazakh reached the semifinal in Guangzhou, and has also got past the first round in all her tournaments in Asia. Putintseva also played very well against Caroline Garcia in Beijing, albeit in a losing effort. Blinkova is a formidable opponent when her forehand is working. But Putintseva gets a small edge due to how comfortable she has looked in Asia.
Prediction: Putintseva in 3
Mirra Andreeva vs Dayana Yastremska
Head-to-head: Andreeva 1-0 Yastremska
Mirra Andreeva had a very encouraging week at the Beijing Open. She progressed from qualifying to the round of 16, and then took Elena Rybakina to three sets. The solidity of Andreeva’s tennis at such a young age is extraordinary, and her backhand is already one of the best on the WTA Tour. Dayana Yastremska has had a mixed season, and has struggled for consistency. It is inevitable Andreeva will have dips in form at such a young age. Yet she is still a solid favourite here. Expect her all-round game to have too much for her Ukrainian opponent.
Prediction: Andreeva in 2
Main photo credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
