13 first-round matches are scheduled on Day 2 at the WTA Wuhan Open. This article features Amanda Anisimova, who is one of the few players in the draw to have played previously in Wuhan. As always, we here at LWOT will offer our predictions for every match on the slate. The matches are divided into three separate articles. In addition to this article, the others feature Mirra Andreeva vs Xiyu Wang and Paula Badosa vs Ajla Tomljanovic. Who do you think will advance?
WTA Wuhan Day 2 Predictions
Veronika Kudermetova vs Marie Bouzkova
Head-to-Head: Kudermetova 3-2 Bouzkova
This has been the worst season of Veronika Kudermetova’s career but she has shown some good signs since the Asian Swing started. Reaching her first semifinals of the year in Seoul and taking a set off Jessica Pegula in Beijing must give her huge confidence. She will face an opponent she knows very well, in the form of Marie Bouzkova. These two have met five times before and Bouzkova easily defeated Kudermetova in their last meeting at this year’s French Open. Kudermetova’s recent form helps me to back her in this match.
Prediction: Kudermetova in 3
Katie Boulter vs Lesia Tsurenko
Head-to-Head: Boulter 1-2 Tsurenko
Katie Boulter’s form has regressed since winning the title in Nottingham and a deep run here at the Wuhan Open would help her confidence immensely. She has a great first-round match on paper against Lesia Tsurenko who is in the worst form of her life. Tsurenko has won just one of her last 10 matches and doesn’t have a good record at this tournament either. The Ukrainian has a winning record against Boulter but she isn’t the same player as last year. Boulter should prevail in this one.
Prediction: Boulter in 3
Yulia Putintseva vs Shuai Zhang
Head-to-Head: Putintseva 4-2 Zhang
Yulia Putinseva has been solid all year and has not only won matches she is supposed to win but also pulled off upsets. However, some tough draws in recent tournaments have hurt her and she will face another tough battle against Shuai Zhang, who had a resurgent week in Beijing. Zhang broke her 24-match losing streak and reached the quarterfinals of the China Open. She was firing on all cylinders until she came against Paula Badosa. Putintseva has won four matches in a row against Zhang but I am backing the Chinese here.
Prediction: Zhang in 3
Amanda Anisimova vs Cristina Bucsa
Head-to-Head: First meeting
Amanda Anisimova fell victim to Qinwen Zheng once again last week in a three-set loss. Anisimova came out on all cylinders firing in the first set but faded away as the match progressed. She shouldn’t have any problems winning against Cristina Bucsa, though. The Spaniard showed some good tennis in Beijing but was completely outplayed by Karolina Muchova in the fourth round. Anisimova has the game to do the same to her.
Prediction: Anisimova in 2
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
