Ningbo Open 2024: Anna Kalinskaya vs Karolina Muchova preview, head-to-head, prediction, odds, and pick
Match Details
Fixture: (7) Anna Kalinskaya vs (PR) Karolina Muchova
Date: October 18, 2024
Tournament: Ningbo Open 2024
Round: Quarterfinal
Venue: Yinzhou Tennis Center, Ningbo, China
Category: WTA 500
Surface: Hard
Prize Money: $922,573
Live Telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Sky Sports
Anna Kalinskaya vs Karolina Muchova preview
Seventh seed Anna Kalinskaya will square off against Karolina Muchova in the quarterfinals of the Ningbo Open 2024 on Friday (October 18).
Kalinskaya rallied from a set down to beat Priscilla Hon 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the first round. She was up against home favorite Yuan Yue for a spot in the last eight. The Russian didn't have the best start to the match and went down a break to fall behind 2-0 in the opening set.
However, Kalinskaya was quick to regroup and claimed six of the next seven games to take the set. A break in the sixth game of the second set put her one step closer to victory. Yuan later saved three match points on her own serve and held a breakpoint when the Russian served for the match. However, the latter got the job done for a 6-3, 6-3 win.
Muchova secured a 6-3, 7-5 win over Olivia Gadecki to reach the second round, where she took on lucky loser Jaqueline Cristian. The Czech was off to a fast start as she raced to a 4-0 lead in the first set and remained in front until the end to clinch the set.
Muchova snagged a break at the start of the second set, though Cristian broke back immediately to stay on level terms. However, the latter couldn't stop the former from imposing herself once again as she reeled off five games in a row for a 6-2, 6-1 win.
Anna Kalinskaya vs Karolina Muchova head-to-head
Muchova leads Kalinskaya 2-0 in the head-to-head. She won their previous encounter at the US Open 2020 in straight sets.
Anna Kalinskaya vs Karolina Muchova odds
(Odds are sourced from BetMGM)
Anna Kalinskaya vs Karolina Muchova prediction
After a tough opener against Hon, Kalinskaya had a relatively easier time against Yuan, though it wasn't that straightforward either. She has now advanced to her first quarterfinal since reaching the final in Berlin four months ago.
Muchova, on the other hand, made light work of Cristian to continue her good run of form. She has reached at least the quarterfinals in six of the eight tournaments she has participated in since her comeback in June. She also advanced to the semifinals of her last two events, the US Open and the China Open.
Muchova will be the favorite to reach her third consecutive semifinal given her recent form and her record against Kalinskaya. The latter has tallied three consecutive wins on hardcourts on twice this year, en route to the quarterfinals of the Australian Open and the final in Dubai.
Muchova has also done the same twice, though she hasn't competed in as many tournaments as Kalinskaya. The Czech has momentum on her side, and that should see her through to the next round.
Pick: Karolina Muchova to win in straight sets.