A couple of interesting third-round picks from Wuhan today, with rain threatening throughout and temperatures sitting around 18°C. Fernandez vs Ostapenko is the one to watch here, so let's get into it.
WTA Wuhan Open Predictions
Leylah Annie Fernandez vs Jelena Ostapenko
Head-to-head: Fernandez 0-1 Ostapenko
Their only previous meeting went to Ostapenko, and on a fast hard court that suits her flat, aggressive ball-striking, that result makes a lot of sense. Ostapenko is one of those players who can absolutely dismantle an opponent when she's timing it well and Fernandez, for all her competitive instincts, tends to struggle when she can't control the pace of a rally. If Ostapenko gets her first strike tennis going early, this could get uncomfortable fast.
That said, Fernandez is never out of a match and the conditions in Wuhan, with the damp air and the rain threat, could slow things down just enough to take some of the venom off Ostapenko's groundstrokes. I feel like this one goes three sets either way, but Ostapenko's ball-striking on this surface is just a level above right now.
Prediction: Ostapenko in 3
Mia Pohankova vs Maria Sakkari
Head-to-head: First meeting
Pohankova reaching the third round at a Premier 5 event ranked 202 in the world is a genuinely impressive run, and credit where it's due. But Sakkari is a completely different proposition to whoever she's beaten to get here. Sakkari has been around the top of the game long enough to know how to handle an opponent trying to make a name for herself, and hard courts are, comfortably, her best surface. Hard to see this being competitive at all given the gap in quality and experience between them. Pohankova won't have many answers for the pace and consistency Sakkari brings.
Sakkari should still find a way to get through here, probably in three as the youngster nicks a set on the back of some momentum.
Prediction: Sakkari in 3
For full predictions on ATP and WTA matches today, check out Uppset.
Credit Image: © Marcin Cholewinski/ZUMA Press Wire