The remaining four WTA Round of 16 matches in Hong Kong are scheduled for Day 4. Last week’s champion in Tokyo, Belinda Bencic, plays before young stars Victoria Mboko and Alexandra Eala meet in a fascinating matchup. As always, we here at LWOT predict all the action, but which players do you think will complete the quarterfinal lineup?

WTA Hong Kong Day 4 Predictions
Himeno Sakatsume vs Eudice Chong

Head-to-head: Sakatsume 2-1 Chong

World No. 228 Sakatsume stunningly defeated 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin 6-2 6-1 in the previous round. She now has a golden opportunity to reach the quarterfinal against an opponent ranked a few hundred places lower than her. Chong played well in her upset against Suzan Lamens, but the Dutchwoman also performed awfully. Sakatsume is the better player and will be very confident after beating Kenin.

Prediction: Sakatsume in 2

Anna Kalinskaya vs Shuai Zhang

Head-to-head: First meeting

Zhang’s best chance of beating Kalinskaya is on an Asian hard court. She reached her first WTA 250 semifinal in a few years at last week’s Guangzhou Open. Kalinskaya played solidly to defeat Kamilla Rakhimova 6-4 6-4 in the opening round. That will be good preparation for this matchup against an opponent who puts a lot of balls into court, which makes this matchup more challenging for Zhang.

Prediction: Kalinskaya in 3

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Belinda Bencic vs Yafan Wang

Head-to-head: First meeting

Bencic is in outstanding form. Her level from last week’s Guangzhou Open will undoubtedly be too good for Wang. The Swiss player won in the WTA Hong Kong opening round in straight sets without being near her best. Although Wang is a fighter, Bencic can probably play at 70% here and still not drop a set because of her superior ability.

Prediction: Bencic in 2

Victoria Mboko vs Alexandra Eala

Head-to-head: First meeting

There will almost certainly be many lengthy rallies between two great athletes. Mboko is slightly more powerful, while Eala possesses more variety and one of the best returns in tennis. The Filipina receives a slight edge because of her ability to take advantage of Mboko’s second serve, the weakest part of the National Bank Open women’s singles winner’s game. Her defensive skills will also be important in this matchup.

Prediction: Eala in 3

Main Photo Credit: David Kirouac – Imagn Images