There is plenty at stake at the WTA Beijing event with the race for a place at the WTA Finals heating up. On what promises to be an action-packed day in the Chinese capita, we here at LWOT are offering our predictions for all 16 matches on the slate, including Zheng Qinwen vs Kamilla Rakhimova, Mirra Andreeva vs Irina-Camelia Begu, and Jasmine Paolini vs Clara Tauson. But who will advance?
WTA Beijing Day 4 Predictions
Dayana Yastremska vs Nadia Podoroska
Head-to-head: Yastremska 1-0 Podoroska
Dayana Yastremska was the top seed at the Thailand Open last week but lost in the opening round. She has now lost five consecutive matches and desperately needs a win. She has a good match on paper against Nadia Podoroska but Podoroska reached the quarterfinals at the Thailand Open last week and won’t be easy to beat. However, I am still leaning towards the Ukrainian player to end her losing streak.
Prediction: Yastremska in 3
Amanda Anisimova vs Camila Osorio
Head-to-head: Anisimova 1-0 Osorio
These two have played once which Amanda Anisimova won back in 2019. Both were teenagers at that time and have improved a lot since, especially Osorio. Anisimova had to retire at the Korea Open last week but her participation here suggests nothing is serious. The American has shown flashes of great tennis recently. Reaching the finals in Toronto was huge for her. Camila Osorio is slowly becoming a tough player to beat with her impressive fighting spirit but Anisimova is the favourite and should advance if she plays close to her best.
Prediction: Anisimova in 3
Daria Kasatkina vs Jana Fett
Head-to-head: Kasatkina 1-0 Fett
Daria Kasatkina reached the final of the Korea Open last week and was close to clinching the title in the second set. She has a short turnaround and will look to make a deep run here at the China Open. Kasatkina has an impressive record in this tournament and has a winnable second-round match. Jana Fett has been in good touch since the US Open but doesn’t have the weapons to beat someone of the calibre of Kasatkina.
Prediction: Kasatkina in 2
Aryna Sabalenka vs Mananchaya Sawangkaew
Head-to-head: First meeting
Aryna Sabalenka should be well rested after her US Open triumph and has a gentle opening round draw to get her back into the rhythm. Sabalenka’s form and the absence of Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina make her the favourite to win the title. She reached the quarterfinal last year and will look to get at least one step further. Mananchaya Sawangkaew did well to qualify to the main draw and win the first-round match but I can’t see her troubling the top seed.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 2
Main photo credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
