The first round of 32 WTA Beijing matches will be played on Day 5. US Open runner-up Jessica Pegula is among the players scheduled to take to the court. As always, we at LWOT predict all the contests, including Coco Gauff vs Katie Boulter. But which players do you think will win?
WTA Beijing Day 5 Predictions
Elina Avanesyan vs Yulia Starodubtseva
Head-to-head: First meeting
Starodubtseva lost just four games against the seeded Katerina Siniakova in the previous round. Avanesyan has been a clay court specialist throughout her career, but the Armenian has improved on hard courts this year. She will get many balls back into play and make Starodubtseva work hard to win points. The Ukrainian has a great chance if she produces the same clean hitting from her last match. It could be tight, but Stardubtseva is narrowly favored to prevail.
Prediction: Starodubtseva in 3
Zhang Shuai vs Greet Minnen
Head-to-head: First meeting
Zhang’s victory against the US Open semifinalist Emma Navarro was one of the most stunning upsets of the season. The home favorite had lost 24 consecutive singles matches before her opening-round win against McCartney Kessler. This might be a bad time for Minnen to face Zhang. The Belgian’s level throughout the year has been more solid, but she will not be able to stop Zhang if she gets near the level she was at against Navarro.
Prediction: Zhang in 2
Anna Kalinskaya vs Peyton Stearns
Head-to-head: First meeting
Kalinskaya was nowhere close to her best in the first round but fought through in a third-set tiebreak against Hailey Baptiste. Stearns was more impressive in her last match against Leylah Fernandez. It would be foolish to write off Kalinskaya based on her previous performance. When she finds it, Kalinskaya’s highest level is among the most formidable on the WTA Tour. However, the Russian has not been near her best for a while, and Stearns could be playing her at a good time.
Prediction: Stearns in 3
Jessica Pegula vs Veronika Kudermetova
Head-to-head: Kudermetova 2-0 Pegula
Kudermetova defeated Pegula in the final in Tokyo last year and has never lost to Pegula. She will need to be inspired by those positive memories since Pegula is in the best form of her career, while 2024 has been a poor year for Kudermetova. The 27-year-old did reach the Korea Open semifinal last week, which might give her some confidence. Pegula is still the favorite, though. The American’s solidity in recent months should be enough to overcome Kudermetova.
Prediction: Pegula in 2
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane – USA TODAY Sports
