Wednesday at the WTA Hong Kong Open features the remaining first-round matches and two second-round encounters. There are a number of entertaining matches on the schedule and, as always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the slate, including Daria Saville vs Elise Mertens. But who will advance?
WTA Hong Kong Day 3 Predictions
Anna Danilina vs Magdalena Frech
Head-to-head: Frech 1-0 Danilina
Anna Danilina has only played seven matches in singles this year, instead focusing fully on her doubles career (not a bad choice at all). Her record stands at 2-5, but the two wins came in the qualifying here with the one over Karman Kaur Thandi actually quite impressive. Magdalena Frech will probably beat her as she’s just extremely solid, but her relative lack of identity on the court might make it a touch interesting if Danilina throws the kitchen sink at her.
Prediction: Frech in 2
Alina Korneeva vs Valeriya Savinykh
Head-to-head: first meeting
The 16-year-old Alina Korneeva looks like a real prodigy. This is her first WTA-hosted event, but recently she broke the record for the youngster winner of a 100K ITF and won two junior Slams this year (one after a brilliant final with Mirra Andreeva). She qualified in such straightforward fashion as well, which makes you think that she could have a run in the main draw. Valeriya Savinykh has the experience, but Korneeva has been beating players like that all year.
Prediction: Korneeva in 2
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Kamilla Rakhimova vs Katerina Siniakova
Head-to-head: Rakhimova 1-1 Siniakova
These two have already played twice this year with Katerina Siniakova winning in Adelaide and then Kamilla Rakhimova getting her revenge over the Czech in Monterrey. We’ve already seen that it’s a tight matchup and both are coming off excellent first-round wins. The Russian has been a touch more consistent in the last few months, but Siniakova’s performance against Wang Xiyu was a fair bit of a surprise. Really tight call, but expect Rakhimova to have just about enough.
Prediction: Rakhimova in 3
Aliaksandra Sasnovich vs Beatriz Haddad Maia
Head-to-head: first meeting
This hasn’t been a great season for Aliaksandra Sasnovich by any stretch of the imagination, but you never want to run into her in the opening round. The Belarusian’s ball-striking talent is undeniable and even in a weaker campaign she has wins over Victoria Azarenka and Elina Svitolina. Eliminating Beatriz Haddad Maia a bit out of nowhere would be a very Sasnovich thing to do, but the Brazilian must be considered the favourite at all the same.
Prediction: Haddad Maia in 3
Main photo credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
