Jessica Pegula made her maiden Grand Slam final at the US Open, only losing to Aryna Sabalenka (twice) across her last three events. She’d likey to keep up that momentum and finish the season strong like she did last year. In the WTA 1000 in Beijing, her opening match will come against former junior No. 1 Diane Parry. Who do you think will prevail?
WTA Beijing Day 3 Predictions
Katie Boulter vs Taylor Townsend
Head-to-head: Boulter 2-0
Taylor Townsend has such a unique singles game, but no one can deny her possessing plenty of talent. She’s coming off some great runs in the North American hard court swing and has already dispatched Martina Trevisan in the opening round. Katie Boulter is among the weaker seeds the American could have landed in this stacked draw and while it’s far from a guarantee, she might be able to take advantage. Especially if she’s able to rush her opponent like she usually does.
Prediction: Townsend in 3
Leylah Fernandez vs Peyton Stearns
Head-to-head: 1-1
Peyton Stearns lost that two-setter to Emma Raducanu in Seoul last week, but it was one of the longest and most competitive straight-set matches you’re ever going to see. Playing like that, the American wouldn’t be an easy out for Leylah Fernandez either. And with the Canadian only just beginning her Asian swing journey, the possibility of catching her a bit cold is probably there. They traded their 2023 meetings and this one is projected to be quite tight as well.
Prediction: Stearns in 3
Paula Badosa vs Viktoriya Tomova
Head-to-head: Badosa 1-0
It’s so good to have Paula Badosa back on tour and being fit enough to compete with the best again. The Spaniard not only won Washington in the North American swing, but also ended it with a semifinal run in Cincinnati and a quarterfinal at the US Open. When she’s healthy, she’s playing at a Top 10 level and that’s been the case for a pretty long time now. Unless something has changed regarding her physical status, this is a good matchup for her to get her Beijing campaign on the road.
Prediction: Badosa in 2
Jessica Pegula vs Diane Parry
Head-to-head: First meeting
That North American swing was incredible for Jessica Pegula and she feasibly could have raised all three titles if it wasn’t for Aryna Sabalenka being just that tiny bit better. Now the expectations are high for a strong finish to the season. Pegula didn’t do all that well in Beijing last year with an early exit, but that came at the hands of Jelena Ostapenko. Diane Parry can’t quite blow her off the court like that and Pegula should be so confident at the moment.
Prediction: Pegula in 2
Main Photo Credit: David Kirouac-USA TODAY Sports
