China Open 2024: Yulia Putintseva vs Naomi Osaka preview, head-to-head, prediction, and pick
Match Details
Fixture: (21) Yulia Putintseva vs Naomi Osaka
Date: TBD
Tournament: China Open 2024
Round: Second Round (Round of 64)
Venue: National Tennis Center, Beijing, China
Category: WTA 1000
Surface: Hard
Prize Money: $8,955,610
Live Telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Sky Sports | Canada - TSN
Yulia Putintseva vs Naomi Osaka preview
The second round encounter at the China Open will pit the two contrasting playing styles against each other, with the big-hitting Naomi Osaka taking on the dogged Yulia Putintiseva.
Putintseva, the 21st seed at this year’s tournament, is in the middle of a solid season, picking up a title in Birmingham and making the second week at Wimbledon.
The Kazakh has even scored wins over the likes of Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff in the last few weeks to contribute to her 35-19 win-loss for the season.
Osaka, meanwhile, also finds herself playing a full season for the first time since returning from her maternity leave. While she has managed a few big wins, consistency has eluded her.
The Japanese player’s 19-16 win-loss for the season included two quarterfinals. She was in complete control of her opener against Lucia Bronzetti, taking the win in straight sets 6-3, 6-2.
Yulia Putintseva vs Naomi Osaka head-to-head
Putintseva leads Osaka in their current head-to-head 3-2, but the duo have only played once in the last five years. Osaka had taken the win at the Billie Jean King Cup match played earlier this year.
Yulia Putintseva vs Naomi Osaka odds
(Odds will be added once they're available)
Yulia Putintseva vs Naomi Osaka prediction
Naomi Osaka possesses a power-packed baseline-oriented game that is destined to do well on hardcourts, but she will need to be wary of her opponent.
Yulia Putintseva has scalps including Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff to her name. The 2024 season has seen her play with more aggression and results have flown in. The Kazakh has been really good on return, pushing pressure on her opponents. The two standout wins over Swiatek and Gauff saw her win an impressive 40%-plus return points even on the first serve.
Osaka has gotten better with each passing match but faces a tough task ahead in the form of an in-form opponent. She has had trouble closing some tight matches and will need to be patient or she risks another early exit.
Prediction: Putintseva to win in three sets