The remaining WTA Beijing second-round matches are completed on Day 2. 2022 Wimbledon quarterfinalist Ajla Tomljanovic began the Asian swing last week in Seoul and is looking to build some momentum in the Chinese capital. Her match is one of four predicted in this article. We also predict the rest of the day’s matches, split between three other articles. Those articles feature Karolina Muchova vs Anna Blinkova, Harriet Dart vs Clara Tauson, and Viktorija Golubic vs Xiyu Wang. But which players do you think will progress to the next round?
WTA Beijing Day 2 Predictions
Nadia Podoroska vs Yufei Ren
Head-to-head: First meeting
Podoroska is looking to shake off a dramatic 6-4 6-7 6-7 defeat in the Thailand Open quarterfinals last week to Tamara Zidansek. However, this is the perfect draw for the Argentinian. Ren is the No. 500 in the world and is in the draw as a wild card. Podoroska likes playing on clay the most, but she should have enough hard-court skills to triumph in this matchup.
Prediction: Podoroska in 2
Elena-Gabriela Ruse vs Sijia Wei
Head-to-head: First meeting
Ruse created headlines at the US Open with her superb level. She knocked out the Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova and almost upset Paula Badosa in the following round. The Romanian lost in the opening round last week in Seoul but looked impressive in qualifying in Beijing. Wei is ranked outside the Top 100 and does not possess her opponent’s firepower. Ruse does not need to be at her best to win this match.
Prediction: Ruse in 2
Elisabetta Cocciaretto vs Arina Rodionova
Head-to-head: Cocciaretto 1-0 Rodionova
This is Cocciaretto’s first match since the US Open. The Italian is looking to discover the form she found at the French Open and the early stages of the grass-court season. She has reached that level since being sidelined by an illness for a few weeks. 34-year-old Rodionova is enjoying one of her best years at this late stage of her career. That does not stop her from being the underdog against Cocciaretto, whose greater weight of shot is likely to be the difference in the fast conditions in Beijing.
Prediction: Cocciaretto in 2
Ajla Tomljanovic vs Camila Osorio
Head-to-head: Osorio 1-0 Tomljanovic
Osorio overcame Tomljanovic last month at the Monterrey Open on quick courts not dissimilar to those in the Chinese capital. Tomljanovic generally prefers fast courts more than Osorio, but the Australian has struggled for consistency since her run to the final in Birmingham in June. Her best level would probably overcome Osorio, but the Colombian is a feisty competitor and has been producing more consistent tennis, meaning she is backed to beat Tomljanovic again.
Prediction: Osorio in 3
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
