Second-round matches will commence on Day 3 of the WTA 1000 event in Beijing, and the schedule gives the top seeds their first look at the conditions and sets up the weekend’s third rounds. This article features fifth seed and Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova taking on the in-form Elena-Gabriela Ruse. As always, we at LWOT will predict all the matches, but who will advance?
WTA Beijing Day 3 Predictions
Diane Parry vs Taylah Preston
Head-to-Head: first meeting
#22 seed Diane Parry is enjoying the best season of her career, and a win here could take her to a new career-high ranking. However, it won’t be easy against 20-year-old Taylah Preston, who has been in good form recently and has the advantage of already playing a match this week. Preston could catch a cold version of Parry, and she is good enough to take advantage.
Prediction: Preston in 3
Peyton Stearns vs Viktorija Golubic
Head-to-Head: Stearns 1-0 Golubic
Peyton Stearns reached the final in Guadalajara earlier last month, playing some great tennis against quality opponents. The American has improved her hard-court game this season and will look to dictate points against Viktorija Golubic. The Swiss player will try to extend the rallies and extract errors from Stearns, but this will be difficult given the American’s aggressive groundstrokes and serve.
Prediction: Stearns in 3
May 28, 2024; Paris,, France; Peyton Stearns of the United States returns a shot during her match against Lucija Ciric Bagaric of Crotia on day three of Roland Garros at Stade Roland Garros. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
Jasmine Paolini vs Daria Snigur
Head-to-Head: first meeting
This has been an underwhelming season for Jasmine Paolini so far, with just one semifinal appearance. She was at her worst during the clay season, but since then she has found some form and is trending in the right direction. The Italian reached the quarterfinal here last year, and the slow courts are a big factor. Paolini will be able to absorb the pace coming off Daria Snigur’s racquet and extend rallies. This is a bad matchup for the Ukrainian on these courts, and it will show.
Prediction: Paolini in 3
Linda Noskova vs Elena-Gabriela Ruse
Head-to-Head: Noskova 0-1 Ruse
Last year’s finalist Linda Noskova helped Czechia win the Billie Jean King Cup finals recently, where she didn’t lose a set in three matches. She has a lot of points to defend and will be looking to get off to a good start. However, she has a challenging opening match against Elena-Gabriela Ruse, who handily won their previous match this season. Ruse has also been in fine form lately and will look to pressure Noskova’s second serve. When these two met in Bad Homburg, Noskova won only 17% of the points behind her second serve, and she must improve here.
Prediction: Noskova in 3
Main Photo Credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images