Ningbo Open 2024: Paula Badosa vs Wang Xiyu preview, head-to-head, prediction, and pick
Match Details
Fixture: (8) Paula Badosa vs Wang Xiyu
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 | UK - Sky Sports
Paula Badosa vs Wang Xiyu preview
Paula Badosa and Wang Xiyu came through contrasting wins in the opening matches to set up a second-round showdown at the 2024 Ningbo Open.
Badosa, the eighth seed at this year’s tournament, is finally back to playing some of her best tennis after prolonged injury troubles. She won her first title in two years at the Citi Open in August and has been on fire since.
Deep runs at the Cincinnati and US Open have been followed by success in Asia, as she made the China Open semifinal with wins over the likes of Jessica Pegula and Rebeka Sramkova. Her battling 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 win over Diana Shnaider in her opener at the Ningbo Open was her 35th for the season against 17 losses.
Xiyu, meanwhile, made quick work of Kamila Rakhimova, dropping just two games en-route to 6-2, 6-0 win. The win was much-needed for the Chinese player as she had suffered first-round exits at the two WTA 1000 tournaments at home recently.
A finals showing at the ATX Open back in March was the last big result for Xiyu, who is yet to show the sort of form that saw her crack the top-50 last year.
Paula Badosa vs Wang Xiyu head-to-head
Badosa and Xiyu have a 1-1 head-to-head, with the latter winning their last encounter 6-2, 6-2 at the Guadalajara Open in 2019.
Paula Badosa vs Wang Xiyu odds
(Odds to be added once available)
Paula Badosa vs Wang Xiyu prediction
Both Paula Badosa and Wang Xiyu possess similarly power-packed baseline games and fans can expect some big hitting coming into this one.
While Xiyu is a more naturally aggressive player, who likes to go big on the ball off the forehand in particular, Badosa possesses the extra dimension of being able to defend well given her immense footspeed.
The Spaniard showcased her adaptability in the opening-round win over Diana Shnaider, sending back a lot of balls to her opponent’s chagrin. She was also very efficient on serve, winning 80% points of the points behind the first delivery.
To her credit, Xiyu’s return numbers were great as she pressured her opponent’s serve. But of the 15 break point opportunities created, she could manage to win only six and that number will need to increase against Badosa.
The courts in Ningbo favor the risk-takers but Xiyu does not seem settled into the sort of rhythm needed for a big win. Badosa, on the other hand, has been going from strength to strength each match and should have enough in the tank to come through this one as well.
Prediction: Badosa to win in three sets.