What began as a 32-player draw in Hua Hin is now trimmed down to four. Top seed Bianca Andreescu remains in contention at the Thailand Open to win her first WTA title since 2019. She faces a resurgent Lesia Tsurenko. While in the first match of the day Xinyu Wang and Lin Zhu will face each other in an all-Chinese affair. Who will advance into Sunday’s final?
WTA Hua Hin Semifinal Predictions
Xinyu Wang vs Lin Zhu
Head-to-head: Lin 1-0 Wang
Xinyu Wang and Lin Zhu have reached the final in Hua Hin as a doubles pair, but they will put their alliance to one side when they clash in singles. It may be a low-key tournament, but this is a high-stakes match for both players. Neither player has contested a WTA final before this. Lin comes into this match in better form and is steadily forging a reputation as one of the best counterpunchers this season. But what is even more admirable is how she effortlessly turns defense into attack. The longer this match goes on, Lin will eventually wear down her younger compatriot.
Prediction: Zhu in 3
Bianca Andreescu vs Lesia Tsurenko
Head-to-head: Tsurenko 1-0 Andreescu
Andreescu needs to sort out her mental composure. It’s a pattern throughout the week. Just when you thought she had the match firmly under control, she allows her opponent to drag herself into the mud. Luckily for her, Kostyuk played poorly in that second-set tiebreak and Andreescu was able to seal the deal.
That steadiness of mind is important when you are dominating the match to avoid complacency and I’m sure Andreescu’s camp will be reiterating this point now that she believes she could win the title this weekend. Her next challenge will be another Ukrainian in Lesia Tsurenko. The 33-year-old won the veteran’s clash against 35-year-old Tatjana Maria pretty routinely. At her pomp, Tsurenko was so disciplined behind the baseline. But she is unlikely to hit those heights with injuries holding her back. If Andreescu keeps her lapses in concentration in check, she is likely to cruise into the final.
Prediction: Andreescu in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
