China Open 2024 Day 1: Women's singles predictions ft. Hailey Baptiste vs Varvara Gracheva, Katie Volynets vs Dalma Galfi
The WTA 1000 China Open is just around the corner, with main draw action set to begin on September 25 and continue through October 6. Aryna Sabalenka, Jessica Pegula, and Coco Gauff will headline a star-studded line-up set to take center stage at the 25th edition.
Day 1 will feature the likes of Naomi Osaka and Amanda Anisimova take to the court, as all seeds received first-round byes.
Osaka, the 2019 champion from Japan will open her campaign against Lucia Bronzetti, while Anisimova is scheduled to square off against home favorite Wang Xinyu.
Other notable players slated to compete on the opening day include Sofia Kenin, Clara Burel, Zhang Shuai, and Anhelina Kalinina.
On that note, here’s a look at the predictions for some of those matches at the China Open.
#5 Erika Andreeva vs Greet Minnen
Erika Andreeva will square off against Greet Minnen in the first match of the day on the Lotus Stadium, marking their first meeting.
Andreeva arrived in Beijing with a 33-23 match record this year, primarily competing on the ITF and Challenger circuits. Her best result on the WTA tour to date was a quarterfinal run in Monterrey. She took part in the US Open most recently where she lost in the second round to Zheng Qinwen after defeating her compatriot Yuan Yue in the opening round.
Minnen, meanwhile, enters the contest 23-28 match record so far. Her best result too is a quarterfinal finish, but in 's-Hertogenbosch. She had an identical run in New York also, winning her first round against Magdalena Frech before succumbing to 24th seed Donna Vekic in the following round.
The Russian youngster should make it through this contest at the China Open, given her superior record recently.
Pick: Andreeva in three sets.
#4 Emina Bektas vs Elina Avanesyan
Emina Bektas and Elina Avanesyan will clash in the final match of Day 1 on Court Moon at the 2024 China Open.
Bektas has a 20-21 match record this season, with her best result being a quarterfinal finish at the Abierto Zapopan. In contrast, Avanesyan boasts a 26-20 record, with a run to the Iași Open where she lost to Mirra Andreeva. She performed well in Grand Slams, reaching the fourth round in Paris, the third round in Melbourne, and the first round in India.
While neither player has been in top form lately, Avanesyan is expected to advance in this matchup, given her superior record on hard courts this year. The slower surface at the China Open should also favor her playing style, as she excels at both attacking and defending.
Pick: Avanesyan in straight sets.
#3 Katie Voynets vs Dalma Galfi
Katie Volynets will face Dalma Galfi in a highly anticipated first-round clash at the 2024 China Open. This will be their second meeting, with Galfi winning their previous encounter.
Volynets boasts a 44-21 match record on tour this season, with her best result being a semifinal finish in Canberra at the beginning of the year. His consistency, however, has been an issue for her since then. She most recently competed at the Korea Open, where she defeated Clara Tauson in the first round before losing to Tamara Zidansek in the following round in another three-setter.
Galfi, meanwhile, holds a 21-18 match record so far this year. She reached the semifinals of the Libema Open and the quarterfinals of the Thailand Open. Galfi opened her 2024 China Open campaign in the qualifiers, beating Hanna Chang and Aliona Falei.
Fans can expect a thriller between the pair at the China Open but Volynets will hold the slight advantage given that she's a better hardcourt player.
Pick: Volynets in straight sets.
#2 McCartney Kessler vs Zhang Shuai
McCartney Kessler will square off against home favorite Shuai Zhang in the first round of the 2024 China Open.
Kessler is having a breakthrough season, as her impressive 35-18 match record indicates. She claimed her first career WTA title at the Tennis in the Land Open, coming back from a set down to secure a dramatic victory against Beatriz Haddad Maia. Her US Open campaign ended prematurely in the first round, where she lost to 19th seed Marta Kostyuk.
Zhang, meanwhile, is currently on an appalling 24-match-losing streak. Her last win came at the Lyon Open in January last year. She's since lacked consistency and has often been dealt with bad luck. She holds a 0-8 match record for the season.
Kessler walks into this contest the clear favorite to go through given her rich vein of form off late coupled with a better hardcourt record on the professional tour.
Pick: Kessler in straight sets.
#1 Hailey Baptiste vs Varvara Gracheva
Hailey Baptiste will take on Varvara Gracheva in the fourth and final match of the day on court Brad Drewett. It will be the first-ever meeting between the pair.
Baptiste heads into the Chinese capital with a 33-23 match record on tour this season. She last featured in Guadalajara where she lost her opener to Camilla Osorio. Gracheva meanwhile holds a 24-22 match record for the year. She lost in the first round of the US Open most recently and the second round of the Thailand Open last week.
In a match of experience vs youth, Gracheva could hold the edge given her vast experience. Baptiste on the contrary has had a better build-up to the China Open and looks good enough to call it an upset.
Pick: Gracheva in three sets.