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Second-round matches will continue on Day 4 of the China Open 2024. Sixth seed Emma Navarro has lost 6-4, 6-2 to Zhang Shuai. The loss was surprising as the latter only snapped her 24-match losing streak with her first-round win here.
Jessica Pegula continued her good run of form with a 6-1, 7-6 (4) win over Diane Parry to reach the third round. Naomi Osaka, a former China Open champion, overcame a one-set deficit to beat Yulia Putintseva 3-6, 6-4, 6-2.
Diana Shnaider, Paula Badosa and Katie Boulter were among the other winners on the third day. As the action continues on Saturday, here's a look at the predictions for some of the second-round matches set for Day 4 of the China Open:
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#1 - Mirra Andreeva vs Irina-Camelia Begu
Teen sensation Andreeva continued her rapid rise to the top of the women's game this season. She first reached the fourth round of the Australian Open, and then the semifinals of the French Open, her first at a Major. She also reached her maiden WTA 1000 quarterfinal at the Madrid Open, and replicated the feat at the Cincinnati Open.
Andreeva nabbed her maiden tour title at the Iasi Open, and later claimed the silver medal in women's doubles at the Paris Olympics. She has a 26-13 record for the year so far, and received a bye into the second round of the China Open.
Begu, meanwhile, rallied from a set down to beat Ma Yexin 1-6, 6-4, 6-1 in her opener here, her first hardcourt tournament of the year as well. It was also her very first win at the China Open, having lost in the first round on three previous occasions.
Andreeva has more match play on hardcourts this year, and more wins under her belt as well. She's also patient enough to not fall for Begu's guile and just bash herself out of contention. The Romanian's record in Beijing isn't great either, and the teenager already made the third round on her debut here last year. She will be favored to do so yet again.
Predicted winner: Mirra Andreeva
#2 - Beatriz Haddad Maia vs Wei Sijia
Haddad Maia clinched her first title of the year at last week's Korea Open. She previously reached the quarterfinals of the US Open as well, and the final in Cleveland just before that. After inconsistent results throughout the year, she seems to have finally got her bearings together.
Haddad Maia received a first-round bye at the China Open, while Wei secured a 6-4, 7-6 (6) win over Elena-Gabriela Ruse. It marked her first win at the WTA 1000 level, and on her debut no less.
However, this likely marks the end of the road for Wei. Haddad Maia has tallied a 12-2 record over the last six weeks, and has won at least four matches each in her last three tournaments. The in-form Brazilian is likely to advance further based on her recent form.
Predicted winner: Beatriz Haddad Maia
#3 - Elise Mertens vs Elisabetta Cocciaretto
Mertens has notched up a 25-22 record for the season so far. She was the runner-up at the Hobart International in January, losing to Emma Navarro in the final. Fourth-round appearances at the US Open and the Indian Wells Open are her other best results. She received a bye into the second round of the China Open.
Cocciaretto staged a comeback as she overcame Arina Rodionova 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 in her opener here. It marked her first win at the venue as well. She will now aim to reach the third round of a WTA 1000 tournament for the first time in her career.
Mertens, meanwhile, has advanced to that stage thrice this season, and twice on hardcourts. This will be the third career meeting between the two. The Belgian won their first duel quite easily at last year's Monterrey Open.
Cocciaretto avenged that loss in Dubai this year, and fought past her in three sets. However, she's 6-12 against top 50 players this season, and has lost her last four matches against them.
The Italian is also 1-5 against top 50 opposition on hardcourts this year, with her only win coming against Mertens. Cocciaretto's weak record against higher-ranked players makes her an underdog in this match-up. Their previous encounter was a close affair, and this one could go down to the wire as well, with Mertens having the last laugh this time.
Predicted winner: Elise Mertens
#4 - Liudmila Samsonova vs Cristina Bucsa
Samsonova has a 26-21 record this year. On first glance it looks rather average, though she has been in good form in recent weeks. She reached the quarterfinals of the Canadian Open and the Cincinnati Open, and the fourth round of the US Open.
The Russian's momentum came to a halt at last week's Korea Open where she faltered at the first hurdle. She lost to Iga Swiatek in the final of last year's China Open, and received a first-round bye this time.
Bucsa defeated Yao Xinxin 6-3, 6-2 to make the second round. Since the Spaniard has never won consecutive main draw matches at the WTA 1000 level, it makes Samsonova the favorite to win this contest. Her aggressive shotmaking does backfire at times, so if she plays with reckless abandon, then she could crash out early this time.
Predicted winner: Liudmila Samsonova
