We are onto Day 4 of the WTA Beijing Open. This 1000-level event has welcomed some of the best WTA players in the world to its grounds. We have a loaded Day 4 slate, including prediction pieces that include Aryna Sabalenka vs. Katie Boulter and Iga Swiatek vs. Varvara Gracheva. In this set of predictions, we look at some other star-studded matches, including 2023 US Open Champion Coco Gauff vs. Petra Martic. But who do you think will advance?
WTA Beijing Day 4 Predictions
Elena Rybakina vs Tatjana Maria
Head-to-Head: first meeting
No. 1 seed Elena Rybakina picked up a dominant 6-1 6-2 Round 1 victory over Chinese No.1 Qinwen Zheng. Her power was finding the corners, as Zheng could never get on the front foot. 36-year-old Tatjana Maria will have those same problems. I do not believe the German has the firepower or the defensive skills to hang with a fully in-form Rybakina. Look for the Kazach to hunt for winners early and often.
Prediction: Rybakina in 2
Maria Sakkari vs Linda Fruhvirtova
Head-to-Head: first meeting
Maria Sakkari followed up her title in Guadalajara with a run to the Tokyo semifinals. She desperately needs another great result as she fights to make the WTA Finals. Sakkari takes on Linda Fruhvirtova in Beijing’s second round. The 18-year-old Czech has had an up-and-down season that includes a ten-match losing streak over the summer. She regained some form last week with a run to the Ningbo semifinals, but I still do not trust her against the best players in the world. Sakkari’s consistency from the ground will be the difference.
Prediction: Sakkari in 3
Coco Gauff vs Petra Martic
Head-to-Head: Gauff 1-0 Martic
This is Coco Gauff’s first event since her historic 2023 US Open title. She opened her WTA Beijing campaign with a 7-5 6-3 win over Ekaterina Alexandrova. Gauff looks motivated and ready to play, a tough sign for opponents on her half of the draw. Petra Martic squeaked out a win over Sorana Cirstea in Round 1. She has had an inconsistent 2023 season, and I doubt she brings anywhere near a high enough level to beat Gauff. The 19-year-old American is 19-1 since Wimbledon.
Prediction: Gauff in 2
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