Ningbo Open 2024: Beatriz Haddad Maia vs Katie Boulter preview, head-to-head, prediction, and pick
Match Details
Fixture: (6) Beatriz Hadda Maia vs Katie Boulter
Date: 16 October 2024
Tournament: Ningbo Open 2024
Round: Second Round (Round of 16)
Venue: Yinzhou Tennis Center, Ningbo, China
Category: WTA 500
Surface: Hardcourt
Prize Money: $922,573
Live Telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | India - Sony Sports Network | Canada - TSN
Beatriz Hadda Maia vs Katie Boulter preview
Sixth seed Beatriz Haddad Maia will take on Katie Boulter in the second round of the Ningbo Open on Wednesday.
After a slow start to the season, Haddad Maia picked up the pace with a semifinal run at the Abu Dhabi Open. She's chalked up 35 wins from 60 matches so far, including a title-winning run in Seoul and a runner-up finish in Clevaland. She also made the quarterfinals of the US Open, where she was bested by Karolina Muchova in a close encounter.
The Brazilian will enter Ningbo on the back of a third-round exit in Wuhan. She outfoxed the likes of Madison Keys and Veronika Kudermetova in the first two rounds but came up shy against Magdalena Frech. The Pole defeated Haddad Maia 6-3, 6-2 in one hour and 40 minutes.
Katie Boulter, meanwhile, has had a propitious season this year. She's garnered 29 wins from 47 matches, including title-winning runs in San Diego and Nottingham. She also reached the quarterfinals of the Eastbourne International, where she lost to Jasmine Paolini in straight sets.
The Brit entered Ningbo on the back of a first-round exit in Wuhan. She started her campaign at the Ningbo Open with a confident win against Sara Errani in the first round, 6-3, 6-2. Boulter will be keen to continue her run in Ningbo.
Beatriz Hadda Maia vs Katie Boulter head-to-head
Boulter leads the head-to-head 3-0 against Haddad Maia. She defeated the Brazilian most recently in the 2024 Canadian Open.
Beatriz Hadda Maia vs Katie Boulter odds
Odds will be updated when available.
Beatriz Hadda Maia vs Katie Boulter prediction
Beatriz Haddad Maia has looked sharp in the last few months on tour. She's picked up 15 wins from her last 19 matches and looks poised to continue her form in the Ningbo Open. Her heavy groundstrokes, especially off the forehand wing have caused problems for her opponents so far.
Katie Boulter, on the contrary, has two titles to her name this year. She is constantly improving her game at the highest level and is close to making a significant impact soon. The Brit won 80% of her first serve points in the last match and hardly put a foot wrong against Errani.
Given their current performance on hard courts, a close contest will be on the cards in Ningbo. Boulter holds a psychological edge over the Brazilian, as she's has never lost to her in their last three meetings. If she can start strong and find her range as the match progresses, she could pull off another upset and continue her run in the Ningbo Open.
Pick: Boulter to win in three sets.