The remaining four round-of-16 matches take place on Day 4 at the WTA 250 event in Hua Hin. There have been many upsets at the tournament so far, with three of the top eight seeds already being knocked out. Second seed Zhu Lin is the highest ranked player left, and she faces a tricky match with the talented Linda Fruhvirtova. We at LWOT predict the outcome of all four contests in Hua Hin, but which four players do you think will reach the quarterfinals?
WTA Hua Hin Day 4 Predictions
Katie Volynets vs Tatjana Maria
Head-to-head: Maria 1-0 Volynets
Both women were very good in the previous round. Each only dropped four games in their respective matches against Arianne Hartono and Tamara Zidansek. Another Volynets win is possible, but this may be a more difficult matchup for her. The American is most comfortable when she has pace to redirect. However, Maria is not very powerful but has a crafty playing style that is awkward to deal with. That does not suit Volynets as well, and she could struggle a lot with it. Maria to prevail in straight sets.
Prediction: Maria in 2
Anna Karolina Schmiedlova vs Wang Yafan
Head-to-head: Wang 2-1 Schmiedlova
This promises to be a very tight battle. Just one place separates these two players in the rankings. Both women prevailed in the opening round in straight sets, but Schmiedlova’s match was much tougher than Wang’s. The Slovakian had a very physical battle with Nao Hibino and won in two very close tiebreaks. A slight physical advantage could give Wang the edge in this one. Any physical edge for her opponent is a serious problem for Schmiedlova because her game is based around counterpunching and winning long and extended rallies.
Prediction: Wang in 3
Arina Rodionova vs Zhuoxuan Bai
Head-to-head: First meeting
34-year-old Rodionova is having an unexpected late surge in her career. The Australian’s current ranking of No. 101 is a career-best. Her upset of Yuan Yue in the first-round in Hua Hin follows victories against Martina Trevisan and Sofia Kenin at the Brisbane International. Bai was solid, if unspectacular in her first-round triumph against Chloe Paquet. Despite Rodionova’s place outside the Top 100, her form makes it feel like this match is on her racket. It is not the easiest one to call, but Rodionova’s recent momentum gives her the edge in Hua Hin.
Prediction: Rodionova in 3
Linda Fruhvirtova vs Zhu Lin
Head-to-head: First meeting
Fruhvirtova is seeking to recapture the level she had in the first half of 2023. The 18-year-old’s form nosedived in the final months of last season after an impressive start. She got her first WTA main draw win of 2024 in the previous round against Anastasia Tikhonova. Zhu suffered a disappointing first-round defeat in the Australian Open. However, she had started the season solidly before that setback. Fruhvirtova will need to play her best tennis to have a chance but she has not found that very often in the last six months. The No. 2 seed Zhu to progress.
Prediction: Zhu in 2
Main Photo Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports
