Many of the best performers from the WTA 1000 in Beijing will already be in action in Wuhan on Tuesday. That includes runner-up Karolina Muchova and semifinalist Paula Badosa, who were both only defeated by Coco Gauff last week. As always, we here at LWOT predict every match on the day. The matches are divided into three separate articles. In addition to this article, the others feature Mirra Andreeva vs Xiyu Wang and Amanda Anisimova vs Cristina Bucsa. Who do you think will advance? Who do you think will progress further into the event this time?
WTA Wuhan Day 2 Predictions
Sofia Kenin vs Ekaterina Alexandrova
Head-to-head: First meeting
Two players who can be anything from fabulous to a disaster on the day. Sofia Kenin is down to No. 162 in the WTA Rankings with 10-22 record this year, but she does usually pick up her game at least a little bit for the big matches. It seems like Ekaterina Alexandrova is just a class above right now, even if her erratic playstyle makes her vulnerable to upsets. Whatever happens, balls will be flying fast all over the court here (and hopefully mostly landing within the lines).
Prediction: Alexandrova in 3
Alexandra Eala vs Katerina Siniakova
Head-to-head: First meeting
Alexandra Eala still has plenty of time to develop her game at just 19 years old, but she’s also not considered one of the top young prospects in the world anymore. Struggling to make it to main tour events won’t get her back on that horse and she kind of needs a big win at an event like this one. Katerina Siniakova seems a little vulnerable in singles at the moment, but she’s still the favorite to take this and has done well at Wuhan in the past, making the 2019 quarterfinals.
Prediction: Siniakova in 2
Elina Avanesyan vs Marta Kostyuk
Head-to-head: Kostyuk 1-0
Marta Kostyuk suffered her first disappointing exit in months when she lost to Katie Volynets in the opening round in Beijing. The Ukrainian had only been losing to elite competition for months and seemed to have increased the repeatability of her game by a lot. The bounceback won’t be that easy with Elina Avanesyan always providing a tricky challenge due to her ultra-versatile baseline skills. Kostyuk’s got good technique and court sense though, she just needs to keep herself from overhitting in this matchup.
Prediction: Kostyuk in 3
Karolina Muchova vs Moyuka Uchijima
Head-to-head: First meeting
Moyuka Uchijima had that breakthrough win streak in the spring and while she’s not reaching those heights at the moment, she’s still looking pretty solid while getting more and more opportunities at the top level. It’s just tough to believe in her chances to prevail in this particular match. While it’s a short turnaround from Beijing for Karolina Muchova, the quality she displayed in that event won’t just go away. She’s finally healthy as well.
Prediction: Muchova in 2
Paula Badosa vs Ajla Tomljanovic
Head-to-head: Tomljanovic 2-1
Paula Badosa was struggling with her chronic back injury in the first few months of the season, but she’s truly one of the best players on the planet at the moment. She proved it once again in Beijing, making the semifinals and only losing to eventual champion Coco Gauff. Of course Ajla Tomljanovic is such a talented player herself and won’t give this to her for free. But she’s been a bit up and down in her comeback and might need a breather after winning the WTA 125 in Hong Kong last week.
Prediction: Badosa in 2
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
