Day four at the WTA 1000 event in Wuhan will feature all eight matches from the round of 16, with some of the world’s top players in action. It should be a very exciting day of tennis, filled with high quality play and unpredictable outcomes as we approach the business end of the event. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the slate, including Coco Gauff vs Marta Kostyuk. But who will advance?
WTA Wuhan Day 4 Predictions
Erika Andreeva vs Jasmine Paolini
Head-to-head: Paolini 2-0 Andreeva
Mirra Andreeva won a very special matchup against her younger sister today, but that was always going to be a very different type of match given the circumstances. Against Jasmine Paolini, who is having an absolutely spectacular season, she is a very clear underdog and will need to play her very best to have any chance of upsetting the Italian. It’s not unthinkable, but Paolini should have too much for the Russian.
Prediction: Paolini in 2
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Magda Linette vs Daria Kasatkina
Head-to-head: Kasatkina 4-2 Linette
Daria Kasatkina hasn’t been in great shape lately, but she is clearly the superior player of the two overall. She won with relative ease when the pair faced each other earlier this year in Brisbane and she should be able to do the same here in relatively similar conditions ten months down the line. That will give her the chance to finally start a good run after several disappointing tournaments, including last week in Beijing wher she crashed out much earlier than she would have liked.
Prediction: Kasatkina in 2
Wang Xinyu vs Jessica Pegula
Head-to-head: Wang 1-0 Pegula
Wang Xinyu won when the pair faced at Wimbledon this year in their only previous meeting, but this is a very different Pegula. The American has really improved massively since then and even reached a first Slam final at the US Open. Even if Wang is playing at home, with the level Pegula has been showing lately she should be able to prevail here and has to be accounted one of the favourites to win the title at the WTA Wuhan Open.
Prediction: Pegula in 2
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Beatriz Haddad Maia vs Magdalena Frech
Head-to-head: Haddad Maia 3-0 Frech
Beatriz Haddad Maia won all three matches the pair have played in straight sets and more of the same is expected here. She has been playing great tennis this week, even getting revenge on Madison Keys for last week’s defeat in Beijing, and should have a very clear edge if she can maintain that level. With Sabalenka likely to be waiting for her in the next round, she will want to spend as little energy as possible here in getting past Magdalena Frech.
Prediction: Haddad Maia in 2
Main photo credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports