WTA Jiujiang Day 4 Predictions
Anastasia Zakharova vs Dominika Salkova
Head-to-head: first meeting
Salkova is unlikely to match last season’s win rate, but she’s added plenty of Tour-level experience. Her first-round win over Aliona Falei ends her recent barren run. But Zakharova has been more consistent at this stage and brings convincing form and results (five wins from her last eight matches) to ensure she will be a handful for the Czech rising youngster.
Prediction: Zakharova in 2
Anna Blinkova vs Anna Bondar
Head-to-head: Blinkova 1-0 Bondar
Blinkova is fond of playing tennis in China, although results have not followed suit. She’s finally off the mark this swing with a neat 6-4 6-4 win against Chloe Paquet. While the performance and energy levels were encouraging, Blinkova will face an in-form Bondar in the second round. The Hungarian is a completely different player from when she last took on Blinkova two seasons ago. Her rally tolerance is her asset and will frustrate Blinkova.
Prediction: Bondar in 3
Hanyu Guo vs Zhuoxuan Bai
Head-to-head: first meeting
Hanyu Guo was a game away from defeat in the opening round. But Alina Korneeva failed to serve for the match in a tense third set. Guo eventually broke back and would win the match in a deciding tiebreak. This is her first main draw win since she upset Yulia Putintseva in Montreal. She’s been one of the most consistent players on the ITF this season.
Zhuoxuan Bai recorded perhaps the most shocking result of the week after knocking out Guangzhou champion Ann Li. That was Bai’s second WTA match of the season, and she pulled off her most impressive win by some distance. She’s still in the early stages of her comeback from injury and it’s unclear if she can sustain this level in back-to-back matches.
Prediction: Guo in 3
Alycia Parks vs Kaja Juvan
Head-to-head: first meeting
Parks finally snapped an eight-match losing streak with a first-round retirement win against Zhu Lin. She was a set and a break to the good when the Chinese player quit. Regardless of how progress was secured, this was a much-needed relief for Parks, who exited the top 50 during that dismal run. But the American faces a much difficult hurdle to navigate in the last 16. Kaja Juvan brings steadier form and is one of those players who has quietly enjoyed her comeback season. Juvan will also return to the world’s Top 100.
Prediction: Juvan in 2
Main Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea – USA TODAY Sports