There were several upsets on the opening day of the WTA Beijing Open. This year’s Australian Open semifinalist Victoria Azarenka was the most high-profile player to be toppled on day 1. The second day is very hectic, with a mammoth 13 matches scheduled. Four of those are predicted in this article, with Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova and 2021 French Open winner Barbora Krejcikova among the players in action. We at LWOT predict the other WTA matches in Beijing in two separate articles. Which players do you think will advance?
WTA Beijing Day 2 Predictions
Linda Fruhvirtova vs Arantxa Rus
Head-to-head: First meeting
This would have been a battle between two out-of-form players if it was last week. But Fruhvirtova had a positive tournament in Ningbo, reaching the semifinal. Rus has already had a memorable season, after a stunning run to the title in Hamburg. But she has not won a WTA main draw match since. I fear her season will now peter out since the Dutchwoman can justifiably feel this has already been a successful season. Fruhvirtova is the favourite in this WTA Beijing battle.
Prediction: Fruhvirtova in 2
Jelena Ostapenko vs Eva Lys
Head-to-head: First meeting
Ostapenko is one of the hardest players to predict on the ATP or WTA Tours. Her level can fluctuate multiple times during the course of just one match. Lys has shown some form in recent months, with quarterfinal appearances in Warsaw and Hamburg. She also played very well to defeat Leylah Fernandez and Cristina Bucsa in the qualifiers at the WTA Beijing Open. The 21-year-old is very dynamic, and will likely make Ostapenko work hard to win points. That is sometimes a playing style the ultra-aggressive Ostapenko struggles with. My instinct is to back the upset here.
Prediction: Lys in 3
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Marketa Vondrousova vs Anhelina Kalinina
Head-to-head: Vondrousova 1-1 Kalnina
This is Vondrousova’s first match since her US Open quarterfinal defeat. Her decision to take a break is understandable. The mental effect of her rise this season is likely to have taken a mental toll, despite how wonderful it has been. Kalnina will not make things easy in her first match back. The Ukrainian has played in three tournaments since the US Open, losing in the second round in all of them. I feel Vondrousova’s crafty style is not perfectly suited to the conditions at the WTA Beijing Open. Nonetheless, I think she will have enough to come through this challenge. But I doubt a deep run is likely.
Prediction: Vondrousova in 3
Barbora Krejcikova vs Mira Andreeva
Head-to-head: Andreeva 1-0 Krejcikova
This is Krejcikova’s first match since she won the title in San Diego, beating Sofia Kenin. It is hard to judge Andreeva’s level despite her coming through qualifying, with Anna Kalinskaya having to retire with an injury in her previous match. Andreeva did overcome Krejcikova in the second round of her memorable breakthrough run at Wimbledon. But the Czech was also struggling with an injury in that match and had to retire. Krejcikova has a very complete game, and I expect her to use that effectively to exploit the teenager’s weaknesses. Pressuring Andreeva with her excellent net game could be a very fruitful tactic at the WTA Beijing Open.
Prediction: Krejcikova in 2
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke – USA TODAY Sports
