It was a dramatic second day at the WTA 500 event in Zhengzhou, with recent Tokyo Open champion Veronika Kudermetova the victim of an upset. There are only four matches scheduled on day three, however, they feature high-quality players, including the recent Guadalajara champion, and as always we at LWOT are offering our analysis and predictions for all the matches. But who will reach the quarterfinals?
WTA Zhengzhou Day 3 Predictions
Anhelina Kalinina vs Vera Zvonareva
Head-to-head: Kalinina 1-1 Zvonareva
Anhelina Kalinina has been playing solidly since the US Open. She has now progressed past the first round in her last five tournaments, and all the Ukrainian’s post-US Open losses have been to the top players of Barbora Krejcikova, Sofia Kenin and Caroline Garcia (twice). Vera Zvonareva, meanwhile, scored a stunning win against Veronika Kudermetova after coming through qualifying. The two-time Grand Slam finalist deserves immense credit for her performances at the age of 39. However, this will be Zvonareva’s fourth consecutive day on court. She may be slightly lacking in energy at her age. If Kalinina plays smart tennis and extends the rallies, it is likely the 26-year-old will triumph at the WTA Zhengzhou Open.
Prediction: Kalinina in 2
Lesia Tsurenko vs Donna Vekic
Head-to-head: Tsurenko 1-1 Vekic
Both players needed their first-round victories for different reasons. Donna Vekic had exited in the first round round of her previous two tournaments, while Lesia Tsurenko suffered the relative indignity of losing her last two sets to Veronika Kudermetova 6-0 6-0 last week in Beijing. Both women have had positive seasons overall built on aggressive styles. This is a hard one to call. Vekic’s aggression is slightly more consistent when she is near her best. The Croat looked good in her opening round, and may just rush Tsurenko into enough errors to emerge victorious at the WTA Zhengzhou Open.
Prediction: Vekic in 3
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Caroline Garcia vs Jasmine Paolini
Head-to-head: Garcia 4-0 Paolini
Caroline Garcia has won all eight sets against Jasmine Paolini, and has never even been taken to a tiebreak. A positive for the Italian is that their only match this year was the closest the pair have had by far, with Garcia winning in Lyon 7-5 7-5. This would have felt like a more dangerous match for the WTA Finals champion before or during the US Open. Garcia had previously been struggling this season against players with a consistent style, which is the lynchpin of Paolini’s game. But the Frenchwoman has been much improved recently, reaching at the least the quarterfinal in her last three tournaments. An upset is not impossible, but Garcia is likely to have the advantage at the WTA Zhengzhou Open.
Prediction: Garcia in 2
Maria Sakkari vs Zheng Qinwen
Head-to-head: Sakkari 2-0 Zheng
Maria Sakkari’s triumph in Guadalajara understandably created the most headlines. But the Greek has been performing well overall since her shock first-round defeat at the US Open, progressing to at least the quarterfinal of her last four tournaments. Sakkari received a bye in the first round as the third seed. Zheng Qinwen’s opening round win was welcome after being dismantled by Elena Rybakina in Beijing. Yet the Chinese player was still far below her best against #225 ranked Kateryna Volodko. Zheng recently admitted how disappointed and emotional she was about her coach leaving to work with Naomi Osaka. That may still be effecting her. It is difficult to see how she overcomes someone of Sakkari’s class at the WTA Zhengzhou Open if that news is still having a negative effect.
Prediction: Sakkari in 2
Main photo credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
