A couple of quarter-final picks from Beijing today, and both matches have something interesting going on. Who do you think makes it through to the semis?
WTA China Open Predictions
Ekaterina Alexandrova vs Mirra Andreeva
Head-to-head: Alexandrova 2-0 Andreeva
That H2H is a fun wrinkle here. Alexandrova has beaten Andreeva twice and Andreeva still hasn't found an answer for her in their meetings. But rankings tell a different story right now. Mirra is ranked fifth in the world for a reason, and she's been one of the most consistent players on tour all season, while Alexandrova is a dangerous floater who can beat anyone on a good day but doesn't string those days together often enough.
The hard court in Beijing should suit Andreeva's style more than it does Alexandrova's, and I think the class gap eventually shows up in the second set even if Alexandrova makes it competitive early. The H2H is a talking point, not a deciding factor at this stage.
Prediction: Andreeva in 2
Karolina Muchova vs Nikola Bartunkova
Head-to-head: First meeting
Bartunkova has had a serious breakout run to get here and deserves credit for it. At 34 in the world she's no pushover, and a quarter-final in Beijing is a real statement. That said, Muchova at her best is one of the most creative players on the women's tour, and this feels like exactly the kind of match she should be winning.
The catch is Muchova's injury history and the way she sometimes lets opponents hang around when she's not at her sharpest. Bartunkova has enough game to take a set if things get loose, and first meetings, which are always a bit of an unknown quantity, can be unpredictable. Muchova gets there, but it won't be straightforward.
Prediction: Muchova in 3
For full predictions on ATP and WTA matches today, check out Uppset.
Credit Image: © Wally Nell/ZUMA Press Wire