The opening day of the WTA China Open is packed with 16 first-round matches. One of those will be an interesting battle between Ashlyn Krueger and former Top 10 player Maria Sakkari. Who will advance to the next round?
WTA Beijing Day 1 Predictions
McCartney Kessler vs Han Shi
Head-to-head: first meeting
Kessler didn’t play a single minute in the U.S.A’s Billie Jean King Cup Finals campaign where they lost to Italy in the final. Her last competitive match was nearly a month ago when she lost to Marketa Vondrousova at the US Open. But she has a harmless opening match in Beijing at least on paper taking on home wild card Han Shi. Both players have never won a main draw match at the China Open, but Kessler is primed to do so this week.
Prediction: Kessler in 2
Katie Volynets vs Peyton Stearns
Head-to-head: Volynets 2-0 Stearns
Volynets holds a 2-0 record over Stearns as they prepare to face off in this all-American first-round clash in Beijing. This will be her fifth match in the Asian swing having partaken at the Korea Open this past week and was involved in two successful qualifying matches in Beijing. Volynets’ shot tolerance is great, but this match will probably be decided by the better shotmaker, and that is Stearns.
Prediction: Stearns in 3
Priscilla Hon vs Viktorija Golubic
Head-to-head: first meeting
Golubic was in good form until the US Open where she came unstuck in the second round. Right now the momentum is with Hon who reached the third round in New York as a qualifier and completely ovepowered Elisabetta Cocciaretto to reach the main draw in Beijing. Golubic will lay the trap with her signature backhand and craft, but if Hon gets enough purchase behind the return she will likely navigate this contest.
Prediction: Hon in 3
Ashlyn Krueger vs Maria Sakkari
Head-to-head: first meeting
Sakkari is on the cusp of a Top 50 return, and she doesn’t defend points for the remainder of the year. So that’s an opportunity to climb the rankings again after a frustrating season, which has yielded 26 losses. But Krueger is far from a pushover in this match. The big-hitting American is no longer working with Michael Joyce in what must have been a tough decision to make. Still, Krueger should have a great chance of kicking off the swing on a winning note with the heavier and more punishing game right now.
Prediction: Krueger in 2
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
