It promises to be an entertaining fourth day at the WTA Hong Kong Open, with six intriguing matches on the schedule and a number of star names in action. As ever, we here at LWOT are offering our predictions for every match on day four in Hong Kong- including Mirra Andreeva vs Leylah Fernandez. But who will advance?
WTA Hong Kong Day 4 Predictions
Martina Trevisan vs Magdalena Frech
Head-to-head: Trevisan 1-0 Frech
Expect there to be many long rallies in this clash. Magdalena Frech is capable of using a lot of variety, while Martina Trevisan’s speed and agility is among the best on the WTA Tour. Trevisan’s opening round win was her first since a quarterfinal run in Guadalajara, and felt important. Frech has been successfully coming through qualifying but then falling in the early rounds of many tournaments in recent months. The Pole’s variety does have the potential to cause Trevisan problems by not allowing any rhythm on her groundstrokes. However, the Italian is likely to be patient enough to wear Frech down at the WTA Hong Kong Open.
Prediction: Trevisan in 3
Alina Korneeva vs Linda Fruhvirtova
Head-to-head: first meeting
This is an intriguing battle of the teenagers. Mirra Andreeva has taken many of the headlines, but she is not the only talented 16-year-old from Russia. Alina Korneeva won the Australian Open and French Open juniors this season, and her first-round victory against Valeria Savinykh was her first triumph at a WTA main draw event.
Despite Korneeva’s exciting future, 18-year-old Linda Fruhvirotva is ahead in her development. The Czech’s place inside the Top 100 proves that, and her clean ball-striking in a match environment will be a new experience for Korneeva. There is likely to be the occasional flash of brilliance from the talented 16-year-old. Yet that is very unlikely to stop Fruhvirtova from winning this match at the WTA Hong Kong Open.
Beatriz Haddad Maia vs Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova
Head-to-head: first meeting
Fatigue is a natural concern after the three and a half hours Beatriz Haddad Maia spent on court. However, the Brazilian is one of the fittest players on the WTA Tour, and one of the most likely to bounce back strongly and be ready. Anastasia’s Pavlyuchenkova’s first-round match could not have been more different. She destroyed Jana Fett 6-0 6-0.
Haddad Maia’s technical level in her opening round match is more concerning than her physical condition. She was nowhere near best despite eventually progressing, and needs an improvement here. There are signs that point to an upset, but the Brazilian still gets the advantage in this WTA Hong Kong battle. Pavlyuchenkova may be surprised by Haddad Maia’s physical recovery after such a long match, and be caught cold.
Prediction: Haddad Maia in 2
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