Wuhan Open 2024: Emma Navarro vs Magdalena Frech preview, head-to-head, prediction, odds and pick
Match Details
Fixture: (6) Emma Navarro vs Magdalena Frech
Date: 9 October, 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
Emma Navarro vs Magdalena Frech preview
Sixth seed Emma Navarro will square off against Magdalena Frech in the second round of the 2024 Wuhan Open on Wednesday, October 9.
Navarro has enjoyed a breakthrough season, capturing her first career title in Hobart and making a deep run at her home Grand Slam in New York, where she reached the semifinals. She also broke into the top 10 for the first time, reaching a career-high ranking of No. 8.
Her Grand Slam success this year includes a quarterfinal finish at Wimbledon, the fourth round at Roland Garros, and the third round in Melbourne. Her form since her US Open fairytale, however, has been challenging.
She suffered a straight-set loss to Zhang Shuai in the first round of the China Open. Further, despite a strong start at the Hong Kong 125 Open, was stopped in the quarterfinals by an inspired Anna Blinkova.
Magdalena Frech has also had an impressive season by her standards. She reached her first WTA final in July in Prague, where she lost to compatriot Magda Linette.
Frech secured her first WTA title at the Guadalajara Open, defeating Olivia Gadecki in the final. She also reached the quarterfinals in Nottingham and Monterrey and made a fourth-round appearance in Melbourne, where she was beaten by Coco Gauff.
Frech last featured at the China Open where she reached the third round, defeating Alycia Parks and in-form Diana Shnaider before falling to Zhang Shuai. She began her campaign in Wuhan this week with a dominant 6-0, 6-4 win over Mai Hontama in the first round.
Emma Navarro vs Magdalena Frech head-to-head
Emma Navarro edges Magdalena Frech 2-1 in their head-to-head. She won their previous encounter from a set down in Monterrey earlier this year.
Emma Navarro vs Magdalena Frech odds
(Odds sourced from BetMGM)
Emma Navarro vs Magdalena Frech prediction
Emma Navarro has had a standout season, but her recent form has raised concerns. After a long and grueling year, signs of fatigue are showing, yet she remains determined to finish strong with the year-ender on the horizon. Despite her recent struggles, Navarro's hardcourt record has been positive, and a late surge is still well within reach.
Magdalena Frech, on the other hand, has impressed with her powerful baseline game, particularly of late. She has, however, yet to secure a win over a significantly higher-ranked player, with her biggest victory coming against World No. 16 Diana Shnaider. Frech has also struggled at critical moments, often failing to deliver the finishing blow. Her form off late, however, has been one to look out for.
In what promises to be an exciting contest, Navarro holds the advantage on paper, thanks to her superior season record, particularly on hardcourts. Frech, however, has been in excellent form since the US Open and has thrived during the Asian swing, with the slower surface likely playing in her favor more.
While an upset is very likely, Navarro is expected to come through in three closely contested sets.
Pick: Navarro to win in three sets.