Qinwen Zheng is back at the WTA 500 in Beijing after almost three months out with an injury, right in time to defend her huge results from the Asian Swing of last year. The Chinese takes on Emiliana Arango in the second round in Beijing, while her compatriot Lin Zhu faces No. 4 seed Mirra Andreeva in the first match on Centre Court. Who do you think will advance to the next stage of the tournament?
WTA Beijing Day 4 Predictions
Jessica Bouzas Maneiro vs Dayana Yastremska
Head-to-head: Bouzas Maneiro 1-0
Jessica Bouzas Maneiro defeated Dayana Yastremska in the first round of Wimbledon this year, but it was an up and down affair that will likely be repeated here to some extent. Yastremska’s game is among the most aggressive on tour and it’s not easy for her to produce a good standard consistently. She’s kind of done it this season, achieving a Top 30ish ranking much more sustainably than back when it was based only on that Australian Open semifinal run. It’s close, Bouzas Maneiro has a bit more rhythm right now.
Prediction: Bouzas Maneiro in 3
Clara Tauson vs Zeynep Sonmez
Head-to-head: First meeting
Getting blown off the court in Seoul quarterfinals last week wasn’t ideal, but Clara Tauson should still be extremely happy with this campaign overall. She’s finally been relatively healthy and her talent got the chance to shine. While her game is a little erratic, there’s not that much to fear here against Zeynep Sonmez. In terms of weaponry, Tauson is in another league. And it’s not like Sonmez has been setting the world on fire recently, she’s due for a ranking fall after her Merida title points drop.
Prediction: Tauson in 2
Qinwen Zheng vs Emiliana Arango
Head-to-head: Zheng 2-0
Qinwen Zheng is still in the Top 10 despite not playing since Wimbledon, but perhaps not for long with the huge results she’s about to defend. The run starts with a semifinal in Beijing, and the Chinese will have to be in good shape physically to repeat it. Emiliana Arango is a decent opponent to start against, she’s not been dangerous outside of the runs in specific conditions in Mexico this year. It’s tough to say what about her game could bother Zheng if the No. 7 seed shakes off the rust relatively quickly.
Prediction: Zheng in 2
Mirra Andreeva vs Lin Zhu
Head-to-head: First meeting
Mirra Andreeva is still a superstar in the making. But it has to be said that after a phenomenal start to the season, the Russian hasn’t looked like a Grand Slam winner in a while. She’s ultimately going to get her level back and likely have a stunning 2026 campaign, but for the time being, it makes her a little bit more vulnerable. Is Lin Zhu likely to take advantage? Probably not; she’d need to really red-line that flat-hitting offensive game to have a shot.
Prediction: Andreeva in 2
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports