Smaller tournaments at the end of the season are always fun because just about anything can happen, and the WTA 250 in Guangzhou is no exception. Most of the top players competing this week are in Tokyo, which means we get to see some players have an opportunity of a lifetime here. The first round wraps up on Day 2; who do you think will advance?
WTA Guangzhou Day 2 Predictions
Katarzyna Kawa vs Katie Volynets
Both of these women made their way through qualifiers to the main draw. Volynets has been playing pretty well so far this Asian swing, while Kawa has not. Add to the fact that Kawa did not look nearly as impressive in the qualifiers as Volynets did and I think it shouldn’t be hard to find the stronger player right now.
Prediction: Volynets in 2
Anna Bondar vs Hanyu Guo
Bondar is far from her best right now, but she did pick up a nice win over Bianca Andreescu in Beijing. Guo, meanwhile, is more of a doubles specialist, though she currently sits at a career high singles ranking of #180 in the world. Maybe the home crowd and recent form gets her through, but I wouldn’t count on it. Bondar should win this.
Prediction: Bumblebee in 3
Anastasia Zakharova vs Shuai Zhang
Zhang has been in dcent form for the first time in a long time recently. In the last month, she beat Zakharova in the first round in Shanghai. She is playing well and with confidence–and looks in good health–in her recent tournaments in China, and there’s little reason to think that will change now.
Prediction: Zhang in 2
Jessica Bouzas Maneiro vs Lulu Sun
The Brazilian is the top seed here, but this is a very rough draw. Lulu Sun is far better than her ranking shows, and she’s been playing pretty well recent. Bouzas Maneiro has been losing early in a lot of events recently, but most of those were against very good players. As long as her confidence isn’t too rattled, she should probably squeak through this.
Prediction: Bouzas Maneiro in 3
Main Photo Credit: Albert Cesare/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK
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