Mar 27, 2023; Miami, Florida, US; Barbora Krejcikova (CZE) hits a forehand against Aryna Sabalenka (not pictured) on day eight of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
There were many upsets on the opening day of the WTA Beijing Open. This year’s Australian Open semifinalist Victoria Azarenka was the most high-profile player to fall on the first day. The second day was very intense, with a whopping 13 matches scheduled. Four of them are predicted in this article, with Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova and 2021 French Open winner Barbora Krejcikova among the players in action. We at LWOT have predicted other WTA matches in Beijing in two separate articles. Which players do you think will advance?
WTA Beijing Day 2 Predictions
Linda Fruhvirtova vs. Arantxa Rus
Head-to-head: First meeting
It would have been a battle between two out-of-form players had it been last week. But Fruhvirtova had a positive tournament in Ningbo, reaching the semifinals. Rus has already had a memorable season, after a remarkable run to the title in Hamburg. But since then she has never won a WTA main draw. I am afraid that her time will be lost because the Dutchwoman rightly feels that it has been a successful time. Fruhvirtova is the favorite in this WTA Beijing battle.
Prediction: Fruhvirtova in 2
Jelena Ostapenko vs. Eva Lys
Head-to-head: First meeting
Ostapenko is one of the most difficult players to predict on the ATP or WTA Tours. His level can change many times in the course of a single game. Lys has shown some form in recent months, with quarterfinal appearances in Warsaw and Hamburg. She also played well to defeat Leylah Fernandez and Cristina Bucsa in the qualifiers of the WTA Beijing Open. The 21-year-old is very dynamic, and will likely make Ostapenko work hard to win points. That is sometimes a style of play that the ultra-aggressive Ostapenko struggles with. My instinct is to back the anger here.
Prediction: Lys in 3
Marketa Vondrousova vs. Anhelina Kalinina
Head-to-head: Vondrousova 1-1 Kalnina
This is Vondrousova’s first match since her US Open quarterfinal loss. His decision to rest is understandable. The mental impact of her getting up this time must have been mentally damaging, no matter how wonderful it was. Kalnina will not make things easy in her first game back. The Ukrainian has played in three tournaments since the US Open, losing in the second round in all of them. I feel that Vondrousova’s deceptive style is not fully suited to the conditions of the WTA Beijing Open. However, I think he has enough to meet this challenge. But I suspect the run may be deep.
Prediction: Vondrousova in 3
Barbora Krejcikova vs. Mira Andreeva
Head-to-head: Andreeva 1-0 Krejcikova
This is Krejcikova’s first match since winning the title in San Diego, defeating Sofia Kenin. It was difficult to judge Andreeva’s level despite her arrival in qualifying, with Anna Kalinskaya having to retire with an injury in her previous match. Andreeva defeated Krejcikova in the second round of her memorable breakthrough run at Wimbledon. But the Czech also struggled with an injury in that match and had to retire. Krejcikova has a complete game, and I expect her to use that effectively to exploit the teenager’s weaknesses. Pressuring Andreeva with her excellent net play could be a fruitful tactic at the WTA Beijing Open.
Prediction: Krejcikova in 2
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke – USA TODAY Sports