16 second-round matches will be played on Saturday at the WTA Beijing event on what promises to be an entertaining day of tennis in the Chinese capital. As ever, we at LWOT will offer our predictions for every match on the slate for day four, including Jasmine Paolini vs Clara Tauson, Zheng Qinwen vs Kamilla Rakhimova, and Aryna Sabalenka vs Mananchaya Sawangkaew. But who do you think will advance?
WTA Beijing Day 4 Predictions
Elise Mertens vs Elisabetta Cocciaretto
Head-t0-head: Mertens 1-1 Cocciaretto
Elise Mertens has had a subpar season so far by her standards. Mertens hasn’t made any tournament’s semifinals since reaching the finals of Hobart in January. Her record at the China Open isn’t good either with just two wins in four appearances. Elisabetta Cocciaretto won her first match at the China Open with a strong comeback against Arina Rodionova. The Italian player defeated Mertens in a tight contest in Dubai earlier this year but I am leaning towards Mertens here.
Prediction: Mertens in 3
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Madison Keys vs Sara Sorribes Tormo
Head-to-head: Sorribes Tormo 1-0 Keys
Madison Keys has looked brilliant when she has been healthy this year, but recent injuries have hurt her. Keys is a former semifinalist here and will look to get off to a good start and build some form for the last few months of the season. Sara Sorribes Tormo played a marathon in her first-round match and I am slightly worried about her even with a day off. The Spaniard as always, will fight hard but Keys has too much firepower.
Prediction: Keys in 2
Liudmila Samsonova vs Cristina Bucsa
Head-to-head: first meeting
Liudmila Samsonova played some of her best tennis to reach the finals last year. However, that form has been missing for most of this season. She did end the North American hardcourt swing strongly though and will be fresh for the Asian Swing. Cristina Bucsa is in the main draw of Beijing for the first time and played a solid match in the first round. But Samsonova might be too much for her to handle.
Prediction: Samsonova in 3
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Mirra Andreeva vs Irina-Camelia Begu
Head-to-head: first meeting
Mirra Andreeva couldn’t back her impressive run in Cincinnati at the US Open. But this has been a good year for the 17-year-old and she can do serious damage in the Asian swing. Andreeva made a great debut here last year, reaching the third round as a qualifier and losing to Elena Rybakina in three sets. Irina-Camelia Begu won her first hard-court match of the year in the first round. Andreeva should win this comfortably.
Prediction: Andreeva in 2
Main photo credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
