There are four exciting WTA Ningbo quarterfinals for fans to enjoy on Friday. Teenage prodigy Mirra Andreeva and US Open semifinalist Karolina Muchova are among the women scheduled to be in action. As always, we at LWOT give our predictions and analysis in this article, but which players do you think will win?
WTA Ningbo Quarterfinal Predictions
Daria Kasatkina vs Yulia Putintseva
Head-to-head: Kasatkina 1-1 Putintseva
This could be one of the longest matches of the WTA season. Due to the humidity, the conditions in Ningbo are pretty slow, and Kasatkina and Putintseva are among the best defensive players in women’s tennis. Putintseva’s craft proved too good for Kasatkina on clay earlier in the year. However, the variety that worked on clay might not be as effective on a hard court, making Kasatkina a slight favorite.
Prediction: Kasatkina in 3
Paula Badosa vs Beatriz Haddad Maia
Head-to-head: Badosa 1-1 Haddad Maia
These players have found form late in the season after previous difficulties. Badosa won the Citi DC Open in Washington and reached the semifinal in Cincinnati and Beijing, while Haddad Maia secured the Korea Open title at the start of the Asian swing. The Spaniard possesses more firepower, and Haddad Maia must dig in for long spells during this encounter. Overall, Badosa’s game is better suited to hitting through the slow conditions in Ningbo.
Prediction: Badosa in 2
Karolina Muchova vs Anna Kalinskaya
Head-to-head: Muchova 2-0 Kalinskaya
Kalinskaya’s pattern in the last few months has been winning one or two matches but going no further. The 25-year-old has not lost a first-round match since May but did not reach any semifinals during that time. Muchova is one of the most in-form players in tennis right now. She can go toe-to-toe with Kalinskaya’s firepower or disrupt her with variety when necessary. That makes the Czech the favorite to progress.
Prediction: Muchova in 2
Mirra Andreeva vs Barbora Krejcikova
Head-to-head: Andreeva 2-1 Krejcikova
Krejcikova registered just her second singles victory since her run to the title at Wimbledon in the last round. She has a losing record against Andreeva but did win their previous match at the Australian Open at the start of the year. A slower court might suit Andreeva slightly more in this matchup, especially since Krejcikova possesses the superior serve. Andreeva is given a narrow edge, but this could go either way.
Prediction: Andreeva in 3
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane – USA TODAY Sports
