There are two superb semifinals to enjoy at the WTA Jiangxi Open. It includes a repeat of last week’s final at the Hong Kong Open between Leylah Fernandez and Katerina Siniakova. This is the last opportunity for all four players to reach a WTA final before the end of the season. We at LWOT analyse and give predictions for both semifinals in this article. But which two players do you think will reach the final in Jiangxi?
WTA Jiangxi Semifinal Predictions
Marie Bouzkova vs Diana Shnaider
Head-to-head: first meeting
Both players have been impressive so far in Jiangxi, with neither dropping a set. Admittedly, Marie Bouzkova has faced opponents she would expect to beat but still did so with impressive ruthlessness. Diana Shnaider’s win against fifth seed Zhu Lin in the opening round is the best of her run so far. Each woman should go into this match with a lot of belief.
Shnaider always plays aggressively, especially with her forehand. However, she will need to implement that style to perfection in this matchup in Jiangxi. Bouzkova’s movement and her solid and consistent groundstrokes are the cornerstone of her game. The conditions are likely to give Shnaider some hope though, with the courts in Jiangxi playing quickly since the start of the event. Defeating Bouzkova is a difficult challenge on any surface but the 19-year-old certainly has a better chance on quick courts.
There may also be slightly more pressure on Bouzkova. Shnaider reached her first WTA final in Ningbo a few weeks ago, and will likely look back at this season as one of solid progress regardless of the outcome of this semifinal. Bouzkova has been winning matches more consistently this season, but is yet to be rewarded with a WTA final in 2023. Will she take her last chance to rectify that? She is likely to do it. Expect the Czech to prevent Shnaider from using her big lefty forehand with her own crafty backhand, and to force Shnaider into making unforced errors as a result.
Prediction: Bouzkova in 2
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Leylah Fernandez vs Katerina Siniakova
Head-to-head: Fernandez 2-0 Siniakova
Watching these two battle again is a very exciting prospect. Fernandez won an epic final against Siniakova from a set down in Hong Kong just a few days ago. Siniakova seemed to be struggling a little bit physically for much of that match but still produced some excellent shot-making to come very close to winning the title. Both players have carried the momentum from Hong Kong into this tournament. Neither woman has dropped a set so far, although Siniakova did get a walkover in the quarterfinal due to the withdrawal of Laura Siegemund.
A few months ago this may have just come down to how much pressure Fernandez could absorb from Siniakova. However, the 2021 US Open finalist has been implementing a newfound aggressive style with devastating effectiveness in recent matches. This includes a willingness to regularly come to the net, which is undoubtedly the part of Fernandez’s game that has improved the most. There were some signs of that style beginning to work in patches before Hong Kong, but the Canadian is now on an eight-match winning run.
This is a difficult match to call between these two in-form players. Overall, it is hard to go against Fernandez right now. Her technical level is excellent currently, but mentally she also seems so focused. Siniakova is certainly capable of winning with her own clean-hitting though, as she nearly did in Hong Kong last week. Expect this Jiangxi semifinal to be entertaining and tight in equal measure.
Prediction: Fernandez in 3
Main photo credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
