WTA Ningbo Quarterfinal Predictions Including Rybakina vs Tomljanovic

We are guaranteed a new champion at the WTA Ningbo Open and eight women will contest the four quarterfinal matches on Friday. Prime among them will be Riyadh aspirants Elena Rybakina and Jasmine Paolini. Who will advance to the semifinals?

ATP Ningbo Quarterfinal Predictions

Jasmine Paolini vs Belinda Bencic

Head-to-head: Paolini 1-1 Bencic

The WTA Finals race is now very clear. The remaining two spots come down to just three women. One of the aspirants is Paolini, who has now won ten matches on Chinese soil since the start of September. Three of those victories were crucial in helping Italy retain the Billie Jean King Cup. Bencic was tested by Starodubtseva in the last round and was visibly emotional towards her team after dropping the first set from a winning position. The Swiss still has plenty to play for despite being assured of at least a top 20 year-end ranking, but Paolini will likely just have enough to get another priceless win.

Prediction: Paolini in 3

Ekaterina Alexandrova vs McCartney Kessler

Head-to-head: first meeting

This is a remarkable turnaround from Kessler. She was struggling in the humid conditions in Wuhan, and it didn’t appear she would recover in time to play in Ningbo. Not only has Kessler regained her health, but she’s also played flawless tennis this week. The American has lost only a combined eight games in two matches. Alexandrova has shone this swing. The big-hitting Russian was a runner-up in Seoul and reached the last 16 in Wuhan. It’s a first meeting between these two and that only adds to the intrigue. A slight edge to Alexandrova.

Prediction: Alexandrova in 3

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Zhu Lin vs Diana Shnaider

Head-to-head: Shnaider 2-0 Lin

Zhu Lin is fond of playing on home soil and defying the odds. Her comeback season is finally taking off after the 31-year-old upset Emma Raducanu and top seed Mirra Andreeva to reach an unlikely quarterfinal. Shnaider has plenty of success playing on Asian soil. She reached her first-ever Tour-level final in Ningbo and has lifted two of her five career titles on this continent. The Russian’s raw power and attacking intent have already overwhelmed two talented players this week and will likely overpower Lin.

Prediction: Shnaider in 2

Elena Rybakina vs Ajla Tomljanovic

Head-to-head: Rybakina 2-0 Tomljanovic

Rybakina secured a hard-fought three-set win over Dayana Yastremska that keeps her WTA Finals qualification alive. The Kazakh needs the title as the bare minimum this week to go above Jasmine Paolini in the race. Even that might not be enough depending on the Italian’s progress in the tournament. With Tomljanovic looking ever dangerous and confident after putting together a four-match winning streak in Ningbo, this could be another major test for the former Wimbledon champion.

Prediction: Rybakina in 3

Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports

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