Defending champion Lin Zhu will kick off her 2024 WTA Thailand International campaign on Tuesday against Taylah Preston in Hua Hin. Can the 18-year-old Australian talent threaten the second seed of this year’s event? Who do you think will prevail? We also look at the rest of the day’s matches in a separate article.
WTA Hua Hin Day 2 Predictions
Yue Yuan vs Arina Rodionova
Head-to-head: First meeting
Arina Rodionova is playing the best tennis of her career at 34 years old and currently finds herself at World No. 101, one spot away from a top 100 debut. She’ll have to keep this run going though and it won’t be easy against an in-form player in Yue Yuan. The Chinese has been in amazing rhythm since the Asian Swing of last year and while she has some limitations when being outmaneuvered around the court, the forehand shotmaking should grant her the win here.
Prediction: Yuan in 3
Linda Fruhvirtova vs Claire Liu
Head-to-head: First meeting
Both players are currently outside the Top 100, despite at one point feeling like they could be permanent fixtures. It’s probably more with Linda Fruhvirtova where these problems are connected to her game; she’s stiff athletically and doesn’t cover the court as well as she needs to with her playstyle. Claire Liu’s weaknesses are a lot less clear and with some draw luck, the American can return to the top very soon. This would be a good start.
Prediction: Liu in 3
Zhuoxuan Bai vs Chloe Paquet
Head-to-head: First meeting
Zhouxuan Bai might have made most of her points at the tail end of last year in Asian ITFs, but the fields there were actually pretty strong and it seems like the Chinese might be carrying some significant potential for the future. She also began this season on a fairly high note despite the rising standard of the competition. If she can execute her game pretty much as well as she can on the day, Chloe Paquet might struggle to come up with a response.
Prediction: Bai in 2
Thasaporn Naklo vs Yulia Putintseva
Head-to-head: First meeting
Thasaporn Naklo is moving up the rankings quickly with three ITF titles last year despite starting her pro season only after all the performances in the college system. Is it a bit too early for now though? That’s what it would seem as her most recent matches against high-quality opposition have generally been a bit rough. Yulia Putinsteva might also be one of the toughest players to pull off the upset against with a lot of grit and determination.
Prediction: Putintseva in 2
Taylah Preston vs Lin Zhu
Head-to-head: First meeting
Taylah Preston scored a couple of good wins recently and took a set off Caroline Garcia, but Elina Svitolina fended her off pretty easily at the Australian Open. The 18-year-old gets another big stage opportunity against the defending champion, who will be under a bit of pressure here with all the points to defend. Lin Zhu loved these courts last year though and it seems like taking advantage of a draw like this should be doable for her right now.
Prediction: Zhu in 2
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
