Wuhan Open 2024 Day 2: Women's singles predictions ft. Amanda Anisimova vs Cristina Bucsa, Mirra Andreeva vs Wang Xiyu
The opening day of the final WTA 1000 event in Wuhan delivered plenty of tantalizing action and numerous surprises. 12th seed Diana Shnaider, Madison Keys, Clara Burel, Dayana Yastremska, and Caroline Dolehide, were among the top players who were sent packing in what proved to be a day full of upsets.
Day two promises even more intriguing action with the rest of the field set to take the court for their first-round matches.
Headlining play will be Paula Badosa, fresh off a strong China Open campaign, who is set to face Ajla Tomljanovic in what could be the match of the day.
Amanda Anisimova will take on Cristina Bucsa, while Katie Boulter faces qualifier Lesia Tsurenko. Marta Kostyuk, Mirra Andreeva, and Liudmila Samsonova will also take center stage against Elina Avanesyan, Wang Xiyu, and Magda Linette, respectively.
With plenty at stake on day two in Wuhan, here are a few predictions for the women's singles matches.
#4 Mirra Andreeva vs Wang Xiyu
Russian teen sensation Mirra Andreeva is set to square off against local Wang Xiyu in the first round of the 2024 Wuhan Open. Andreeva edges Wang 1-0 in their head-to-head, winning their only previous encounter at Wimbledon last year.
Andreeva has had a breakthrough season on tour so far this year as her 29-1 match record indicates. She won her first-ever WTA title earlier this year in Iasi, Romania, beating good friend Elina Avanesyan in the final. She made it the furthest she ever has in Grand Slams with a spirited semifinal run in Paris, shocking the likes of Victoria Azarenka and Aryna Sabalenka along the way.
Andreeva has also reached the quarterfinals in Madrid, Cincinnati, and Roune, showing consistency wherever she's gone. She last featured at the China Open, beating Donna Vekic and Magda Linette en route to the quarterfinals before losing to Zheng Qinwen despite winning the first set.
Wang, meanwhile, heads into the contest with a 20-23 match record for the season, primarily having found her success on the ITF circuit. Her best results include a runner-up finish to compatriot Yuan Yue and a semifinal run at the start of the year in Auckland where she lost to Elina Svitolina.
Wang has since struggled for consistency during the clay and grass court swings. She played at her home event the China Open last, losing to Viktorija Golubic in her opener in a three-set battle.
Andreeva heads into this encounter with the balance titled in her favor thanks to her better record on tour in comparison to Wang.
Pick: Andreeva in straight sets.
#3 Katie Boulter vs Lesia Tsurenko
Katie Boulter will open her 2024 Wuhan Open campaign against Ukrainian qualifier Lesia Tsurenko in the first round. Tsurenko leads Boulter 3-1 in their head-to-head, but it was Boulter who brushed Tsurenko in their previous encounter in San Diego earlier this year.
Boulter has enjoyed a good season on the WTA tour leading up to Wuhan. She's won two titles this year, the WTA 500 in San Diego where she overcame Marta Kostyuk, and the title at home in Nottingham over Karolina Pliskova. She last featured at the China Open where she defeated Taylor Townsend in the first round before falling to Coco Gauff in the second.
Tsurenko's best results heading into Wuhan, in what has been a disappointing season so far, have been a couple of third-round finishes in Melbourne and Qatar at the start of the year. She took part at the China Open last week but lost in her opener to Viktoriya Tomova. She opened her campaign this week in Wuhan in the qualifiers, beating Linda Fruhvirtova and sixth seed Erika Andreeva to book a spot in the main draw.
Boulter enters this contest the stronger of the two with a better match record this year at 28-17 as opposed to Tsurenko's 10-19. She's been the better player on hardcourts too and dominated Tsurenko in their previous encounter earlier this year.
Pick: Boulter in straight sets.
#2 Yulia Putinseva vs Zhang Shuai
Yulia Putinseva will square off against home favorite Zhang Shuai in a blockbuster first-round clash at the 2024 Wuhan Open. Putinseva leads their head-to-head 4-2 and won their last match in Dubai back in 2022.
Putintseva enters the Wuhan Open with a solid 35-20 match record this season. Her standout achievement came in Birmingham, where she claimed the title by defeating Ajla Tomljanovic in the final. Her grasscourt swing also saw her reach the fourth round at Wimbledon. Other notable results include quarterfinal appearances in Hobart, Hua Hin, Miami, and Madrid. Putintseva’s most recent tournament was the China Open, where she fell to Naomi Osaka.
Zhang, in contrast, has struggled this season, managing just a 4-9 singles match record. She recently ended a 24-match losing streak by defeating McCartney Kessler in the first round of the China Open. Zhang went on to score impressive wins over Emma Navarro and Magdalena Frech before falling to Paula Badosa in the quarterfinals.
This matchup promises to be a tight contest between two skilled baseline players who are also comfortable coming to the net. While Yulia Putintseva appears stronger on paper, Zhang’s recent form gives her the momentum heading into this clash.
Pick: Zhang in three sets.
#1 Amanda Anisimova vs Cristina Bucsa
Amanda Anisimova will face Spanish qualifier Cristina Bucsa in her Wuhan opener, marking their first-ever meeting.
Anisimova has shown flashes of brilliance this season but has struggled with consistency. She reached her first WTA 1000 final in Toronto, where she defeated Aryna Sabalenka before falling to Jessica Pegula. Other notable results include a quarterfinal appearance in Washington and a fourth-round finish at the Australian Open. Most recently, she competed at the China Open, where she lost to Zheng Qinwen in the fourth round.
Bucsa, meanwhile, has primarily competed in WTA 125 and ITF events this season. She impressed at the China Open with a fourth-round finish and secured her spot in Wuhan’s main draw by defeating Camila Osorio and ninth-seed Daria Kasatkina in the qualifiers.
Anisimova’s stronger form on hardcourts, particularly of late, makes her the favorite to comfortably advance past Bucsa.
Pick: Anisimova in straight sets.