It promises to be an entertaining third day at the WTA Hong Kong Open with both of the top two seeds returning to the fray. But will both advance? As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the slate, but who will make the quarterfinals?
WTA Hong Kong Day 3 Predictions
Shi Han vs Bernarda Pera
Head-to-head: first meeting
Bernarda Pera is flying under the radar this Asian swing, but she’s been playing well. After qualifying and winning a round in Wuhan, she also reached the quarterfinals in Guangzhou last week. Her opener here against Sara Saito was clean too and it doesn’t seem like she’ll be facing a big step up in quality yet. Shi Han raced through her first three matches in straight sets and will surely be full of confidence, but is coming up against a much better opponent now. This looks likely to be a challenge too far for Shi.
Prediction: Pera in 2
Yuan Yue vs Nao Hibino
Head-to-head: Hibino 1-0 Yuan
Nao Hibino defeated Yuan Yue in the Australian Open qualifying four years ago, but the pair have not played since and are now on completely different trajectories in their careers. The Chinese made her WTA Tour breakthrough more or less this time last year and keeps impressing with her forehand shotmaking. In the opening round here, she took out the returning Simona Halep. Hibino is getting a little outmatched by powerful players these days and seems like her best days might be behind the Japanese now.
Prediction: Yuan in 3
Embed from Getty Images
Wang Xiyu vs Katie Boulter
Head-to-head: First meeting
Wang Xiyu is barely hanging on in the top 100 now, especially after losing her points for the Guangzhou title from last year. The Chinese still has a quality game when she is on song, but consistency has been a huge issue this season. While she does have the peak ability to trouble Katie Boulter, she can’t really be perceived as the favorite here. The second seed made the semifinals in Tokyo last week and didn’t show any signs of slowing down while defeating the tricky Aoi Ito in her opener in Hong Kong.
Prediction: Boulter in 3
Diana Shnaider vs Priscilla Hon
Head-to-head: First meeting
Diana Shnaider’s season must have been pretty draining, but the Russian is still performing at a great level. Winning titles on all three surfaces was a massive achievement and she’ll be trying to go out with a bang here. The top seed made the semifinals in Tokyo last week and looks like the favourite to take the title at the WTA Hong Kong Open. Frankly, Priscilla Hon doesn’t look like she will have many answers to the Russian’s game with the Australian not exactly the most imposing player out there.
Prediction: Shnaider in 2
Main photo credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
