There are many excellent players set to play on day 2 at the WTA event in Jiangxi. This includes French Open semifinalist Beatriz Haddad Maia, whose match is one of three predicted in this article. There are ten matches scheduled in total on the second day in Jiangxi. As always, we at LWOT have predictions for all the matches- including Leylah Fernandez vs Hanyu Guo and Xinyu Wang vs Laura Siegemund. But which players do you think will win?
WTA Jiangxi Day 2 Predictions
Varvara Gracheva vs Kamilla Rakhimova
Head-to-head: Gracheva 1-1 Rakhimova
These two met last week in Hong Kong, with Rakhimova winning comprehensively in straight sets. It continued a very difficult last few months for Gracheva. The Frenchwoman has won just two WTA main draw matches in the last three months. Last week showed that Rakhimova’s game in fast conditions was a bad matchup for Gracheva, and the courts are also quick in Jiangxi. It feels like Gracheva’s season has been petering out for some time, although it would be hard for her to play much worse than she did last week against Rakhimova. The Russian can be inconsistent at times, but she is likely to have the edge once again. Gracheva may at least claim a set on this occasion.
Prediction: Rakhimova in 3
Viktoria Hruncakova vs Aliaksandra Sasnovich
Head-to-head: Hruncakova 2-0 Sasnovich
Hruncakova won both previous meetings between these two but the last of those occurred over five years ago. This is a good opportunity for both players to get a WTA main draw victory. The fortunes of both women have been relatively similar in recent months. They have each consistently won matches in qualifying, and then occasionally done so in the main draw. This is likely to be very close. Sasnovich may prefer the moderately fast conditions in Jiangxi slightly more than Hruncakova. The Belarusian gets the slightest of edges, but this could easily go either way.
Prediction: Sasnovich in 3
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Beatriz Haddad Maia vs Nao Hibino
Head-to-head: First meeting
Haddad Maia is the #1 seed in Jiangxi but could be feeling slightly burnt out heading into this tournament. Six of her last eight matches have gone to a third set, including a three-hour and 30-minute epic victory last week in Hong Kong. The consistency of Haddad Maia’s season contrasts sharply with her opponent. Hibino has not enjoyed many WTA main draw wins in 2023. Yet she had a stunning run to the title in Prague in August. That shows what a threat the Japanese player is when she finds her range. Will she upset Haddad Maia? It is unlikely. The Brazilian is one of the toughest players mentally in the women’s game. Expect her to overcome any lingering fatigue and make one last push in Jiangxi. Her consistency and athleticism is likely to overcome Hibino, and this time in straight sets.
Prediction: Haddad Maia in 2
Main Photo Credit: Jerry Lai – USA TODAY Sports
