The WTA 1000 Beijing is well and truly underway and the excitement will surely continue as Day 3 features a lineup of mouthwatering matches that promise to keep us all on the edges of our seats. Naomi Osaka headlines this group of predictions as the formal World no. 1 seeks a statement Asian swing. Who do you think will progress?
WTA Beijing Day 3 Predictions
Caroline Dolehide vs Elina Avanesyan
Head-to-Head: Dolehide 1-1 Avanesyan
Elina Avanesyan got her campaign underway with a straight-sets win over Emina Bektas. She would hope to extend her run further with a win here in what has been a career best season for the young talented Armenian. Standing in her path is Caroline Dolehide whom she beat in the qualifying round at Birmingham a few months ago. Dolehide will be playing her first match here after her first-round opponent withdrew due to an injury. A slow start to the match for Dolehide would tilt the scales further in her opponent’s direction as Avanesyan would be especially poised to take advantage of any lapses in her opponent’s game.
Prediction: Avanesyan in 2
Rebecca Sramkova vs Ekaterina Alexandrova
Head-to-Head: First Meeting
Sramkova continued her blazing hot form by quickly dispatching a formidable opponent in the first round in a little over an hour. This, after taking to the courts in the qualifying rounds on the back of securing her first WTA title in Hua Hin less than a week ago. She hasn’t shown any signs that extended time on court is catching up to her which doesn’t bode well for her next opponent. Alexandrova has been far from her best form of late, seemingly giving away the lead from winning positions and finding herself in uncharacteristically scrappy and extended matches. That level will not be anywhere near what it would take to best this version of Sramkova.
Prediction: Sramkova in 2
Magdalena Frech vs Alycia Parks
Head-to-Head: Frech 1-0 Parks
Magdalena Frech won her first WTA title in style earlier this month at the cost of a single set in Guadalajara, Mexico. She kicks off her Asian swing and would hope to back up that title run with a similar performance here in Beijing. Parks will have her work cut out for her but should come here with the outside belief in her chances of causing a significant upset after coming through qualifying and scrapping past home hopeful Wang Qiang in the first round. A similarly slow start might dent any hopes at that chance and Frech will look to capitalize on any early opportunities as she plays her way into getting used to the conditions.
Prediction: Frech in 2
Naomi Osaka vs Yulia Putinsteva
Head-to-Head: Putinsteva 3-2 Osaka
Naomi Osaka needed just under and hour and 30 minutes to dispatch Lucia Bronzetti in round one. The former world no. 1 has shown glimpses of her best form this year and playing on hard courts where she has often played her best throughout her career makes it hard to pick against her. The matches between these two have been highly competitive and although both players are on the quest to regain top form, Osaka remains slightly advanced in her journey so far and thus should progress further here.
Prediction: Osaka in 2
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
