We've got one semi-final pick from the China Open today, and it's a fascinating one with Qinwen Zheng playing in front of her home crowd against a very in-form Elise Mertens.
WTA China Open Predictions
Qinwen Zheng vs Elise Mertens
Head-to-head: Zheng 1-0 Mertens
Zheng holds the only previous meeting between these two, but Mertens has looked sharp this week and the Belgian tends to raise her level at the bigger events. Her ability to absorb pace and redirect it cleanly makes her genuinely awkward on hard courts and Zheng at 54 in the world right now isn't the force she was at her peak a couple of years ago.
The home crowd will absolutely get behind Zheng, and that's not nothing. That said, Mertens is experienced enough not to let the atmosphere rattle her. I feel like this goes the distance, and Mertens has the consistency and the nerves to close it out in three, all things considered.
Prediction: Mertens in 3
For full predictions on ATP and WTA matches today, check out Uppset.
Credit Image: © Rob Prange/AFP7 via ZUMA Press Wire