A couple of first-round picks from the WTA Huzhou Open today, with rain hanging over proceedings and temperatures feeling more like early spring than a clay-court swing. We've got two matches to get into, and both happen to feature a Zolotareva, which is a sentence I didn't expect to write today.
WTA Huzhou Open Predictions
Rada Zolotareva vs Despina Papamichail
Head-to-head: First meeting
On paper this looks like a mismatch. Papamichail is ranked 162nd, Rada Zolotareva is down at 439th, and their first meeting on clay doesn't offer much reason to think the gap closes today. Papamichail has been a solid clay-court performer on the ITF and WTA 125 circuit for years and should be the more comfortable player in these slow, wet conditions.
That said, the prediction here goes with Zolotareva, and in three sets, so there's clearly something worth watching. Papamichail can be inconsistent and has had stretches where she's dropped matches she really shouldn't. A three-setter feels right.
Prediction: Zolotareva in 3
Anastasia Zolotareva vs Chengyiyi Yuan
Head-to-head: Zolotareva 0-1 Yuan
The head-to-head is only one match deep but Yuan holds it, which gives her a psychological foothold coming in. Anastasia is ranked 244th to Yuan's 643rd, though, and that gap is hard to ignore, especially on home soil for Yuan where the crowd support might be the most meaningful factor working in her favor and Anastasia has enough ranking points to suggest she's been the more consistent player over a longer stretch.
I think this one goes the distance. Yuan's the type of player who fights hard in front of a home crowd and she's already beaten Anastasia once, so expect her to believe she can do it again. Anastasia should have enough to get through here, all things considered.
Prediction: Zolotareva in 3
For full predictions on ATP and WTA matches today, check out Uppset.
Credit Image: © Rob Prange/AFP7 via ZUMA Press Wire