Wuhan Open 2024: Barbora Krejcikova vs Hailey Baptiste preview, head-to-head, prediction, odds and pick
Match Details
Fixture: (7) Barbora Krejcikova vs Hailey Baptiste
Date: October 9, 2024
Tournament: 2024 Wuhan Open
Round: Second-Round (Round of 32)
Venue: Optics Valley International Tennis Center, Wuhan, Hubei, China
Category: WTA 1000
Surface: Hardcourt (Outdoor)
Prize Money: $3,221,715
Live Telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Sky Sports | Canada - TSN
Barbora Krejcikova vs Hailey Baptiste preview
Seventh seed Barbora Krejickova is slated to open her 2024 Wuhan Open campaign against American qualifier Hailey Baptiste in the second round on Tuesday, October 8.
Krejcikova's standout moment of the season arguably came when she lifted the Wimbledon crown. Seeded 31st, she overcame top players like Veronika Kudermetova, Danielle Collins, Jelena Ostapenko, and former champion Elena Rybakina in a thrilling three-set semifinal. In the final, she faced a tough challenge from Jasmine Paolini but secured her second Grand Slam singles title, becoming the second-lowest-ranked Wimbledon champion in history.
Despite reaching the quarterfinals in Melbourne and Birmingham, Krejcikova has struggled for consistency, often failing to string together consecutive wins. Most recently, she suffered a disappointing first-round loss to Jaqueline Cristian at the China Open, despite taking the first set.
Hailey Baptiste in contrast, has primarily competed on the ITF circuit this year, with only a handful of appearances on the WTA Tour so far. Her best results include reaching the second rounds at Indian Wells and Roland Garros. She has struggled to progress beyond the opening rounds at other events.
Baptiste's most recent appearance was at the Hong Kong 125 Open, where she defeated Sara Sorribes Tormo in the first round before losing to Varvara Gracheva in the next.
Barbora Krejcikova vs Hailey Baptiste head-to-head
Barbora Krejcikova leads Hailey Baptiste 1-0 in their head-to-head, having won their only encounter 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 at the Pelham Racquet Club Pro Classic ITF event back in 2019.
Barbora Krejcikova vs Hailey Baptiste odds
(Odds sourced from BetMGM)
Barbora Krejcikova vs Hailey Baptiste prediction
Neither player has performed particularly well on hard courts this year and they enter this contest with similar statistics for the summer season.
Krejcikova, however, enters as the overwhelming favorite, thanks to her superior overall record this year and experience, especially against the less experienced Hailey Baptiste. Baptiste has yet to secure a win against a top 20 player this year, making this match another challenging prospect for her.
The slightly slower courts in Wuhan are expected to favor Krejcikova’s aggressive style, as she is unafraid to take risks and approach the net.
Pick: Krejickova to win in straight sets.