It’s a hugely exciting line-up on Day 7 at the WTA 1000 in Beijing as we approach the later stages. Three top ten players will be in action in what promises to be a bubbling day of tennis for the neutrals. We offer our predictions on who will advance to the quarterfinals.
WTA Beijing Day 7 Predictions
McCartney Kessler vs Eva Lys
Head–to–Head: Kessler 0 vs 1 Lys
Eva Lys delivered an impressive performance to overcome World #10 Elena Rybakina in the third round. Rybakina appeared poised to secure the win in three sets after breaking to lead 4-3, but Lys responded with three consecutive games to claim a remarkable victory after two hours and 14 minutes of play.
McCartney Kessler also progressed in the tournament when her opponent, Barbora Krejcikova, had to retire in the third set.
Although Lys is a lower-ranked player, the German can draw tremendous confidence from her win over Rybakina, which could ultimately provide her with the momentum to get over the line.
Prediction: Lys in 3
Jasmine Paolini vs Marie Bouzkova
Head–to–Head: First Meeting
Jasmine Paolini advanced to the Round of 16 in perfect fashion, having not dropped a set in Beijing. The Italian is on a five-match win streak to take her record on hard courts this year to 21-9.
Bouzkova also made it to the fourth round of this WTA 1000 tournament without losing a set and is now just one win away from her fifth quarterfinal appearance this season.
The first meeting between players is always a tricky one, and based on how solid she’s played in her three matches in Beijing, the younger Czech is capable of producing yet another upset.
Prediction: Bouzkova in 3
Amanda Asinimova VS Karolina in the civil
Head–to–Head: Anisimova 1 vs 0 Muchova
Karolina Muchova progressed to the Round of 16 in Beijing after her opponent, Paula Badosa, had to retire while trailing at 4-2. The Spaniard was returning to the WTA Tour after dealing with a back issue, but appeared to have difficulties with her movement in the early stages and regrettably needed to stop playing.
Amanda Anisimova, meanwhile, advanced after defeating Shuai Zhang in straight sets. Anisimova found herself behind for much of the first set, but the two-time Grand Slam finalist saved two set points before ultimately securing it in a long tiebreak, before bageling her opponent in the second set.
This matchup shapes up to be one of the most exciting in the Round of 16, featuring two high-caliber players on this surface. Anisimova’s powerful style should be enough to claim a win, but she will have to be at her absolute best to overcome Muchova.
Prediction: Anisimova in 3
Coco Gauff vs Belinda Bencic
Head–to–Head: Gauff 3 vs 2 Bencic
Belinda Bencic rallied from a set and a break down to overcome Priscilla Hon and advance to the Round of 16 in Beijing. Bencic started the match strongly, taking a 4-2 lead, but Hon mounted a comeback, winning six consecutive games to clinch the first set and go up 2-0. However, the Swiss player responded impressively, not facing a single break point for the remainder of the match and breaking Hon’s serve three times to secure a three-set win.
Coco Gauff continued her title defense with a hard-fought win over Leylah Fernandez. The Canadian pushed the match to a deciding set after breaking Gauff’s serve late in the second. Nevertheless, she finally broke through to secure the win after two hours and 45 minutes.
Gauff leads their head-to-head 3-2, with the record tied on hard courts. They have traded wins this season, and this will be typically competitive. Despite Gauff’s aggression and firepower, I believe Bencic’s guile and craftiness will get her the win that equals their head-to-head.
Prediction: Bencic in 3
Main Photo Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images