12 first-round and two second-round matches are scheduled on day two at the WTA Wuhan Open on what promises to be an entertaining day of tennis in central China. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the slate, including Marta Kostyuk vs Maria Sakkari and Yulia Putintseva vs Zeynep Sonmez, but who will advance?
WTA Wuhan Day 2 Predictions
Ann Li vs Camila Osorio
Head-to-Head: Li 4-2 Osorio
Ann Li is making her second Wuhan Open appearance and has been in good form on hard courts lately. If she can maintain her consistency for the remainder of the season, she will reach a new career-high ranking. Lucky loser Camila Osorio gets another chance to end her bad run of form, but Li has been clinical in this matchup and holds a big upper hand. Expect the American to advance, even if she has to go the distance to get the better of Osorio.
Prediction: Li in 3
Nikola Bartunkova vs Lilli Tagger
Head-to-Head: first meeting
This should be a fun first meeting between two young, talented players who have risen up the rankings this season (as well as potentially being the start of a long-term rivalry on the WTA Tour). Nikola Bartunkova is in outstanding form after a career-best run to the semifinals at WTA Beijing, where she defeated top players like Aryna Sabalenka and Karolina Muchova.
That run helped her enter the top 30 for the first time, and she will look to carry the momentum here, arguably a long awaited breakthrough for the talented Czech – she is one of a few. Lilli Tagger, on the other hand, has struggled recently, which gives Bartunkova the edge.
Prediction: Bartunkova in 2
Tennis – U.S. Open – Flushing Meadows, New York, United States – September 5, 2026 Czech Republic’s Nikola Bartunkova in action during her third round match against Russia’s Mirra Andreeva IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Geoff Burke
Kimberly Birrell vs Katie Volynets
Head-to-Head: Birrell 3-2 Volynets
Kimberly Birrell is in strong form after claiming her first WTA title at the Korea Open recently and will look to make a winning debut at WTA Wuhan. Katie Volynets, meanwhile, has already played two qualifying matches here and so may have a slight advantage due to familiarity with the conditions, though these two did recently play in Seoul where Birrell won in three tight sets. With two wins under her belt already this week, don’t be surprised if Volynets is up for the challenge and gets her revenge.
Prediction: Volynets in 3
Dayana Yastremska vs Cristina Bucsa
Head-to-Head: Yastremska 2-0 Bucsa
Dayana Yastremska was playing some great tennis in Beijing but lost her feel and played an erratic third-round match against Sinja Kraus. She will look to bounce back from that performance and make a solid start here. Cristina Bucsa is ranked much higher than Yastremska, but she arrives here on a four-match losing streak in all competitions. Yastremska’s superior record in Wuhan and recent form make her the favourite.
Prediction: Yastremska in 3
Sorana Cirstea vs Hanyu Guo
Head-to-Head: first meeting
World #16 Sorana Cirstea has enjoyed a fairytale final season of her career, and she will look to end it on a high. Cirstea withdrew from the China Open due to a calf injury, meaning this will be her first match since the US Open. However, if she has fully recovered, she will be the heavy favourite to advance to the second round at the expense of her local opposition. Wild card Hanyu Guo will have the support of the WTA Wuhan crownd, but she has won just two tour-level matches in her career and the gap in their respective levels feels like it will be too big to bridge.
Prediction: Cirstea in 2
Main photo credit: Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports