The third round matches at the 2019 China Open will be played on Wednesday, October 2 and Elina Svitolina and Petra Kvitova will lead the draw today. Here’s Ash Barty v Zheng Saisai and Kiki Bertens v Polona Hercog tips, previews and predictions for these third round matches.
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Ash Barty v Zheng Saisai Predictions & Preview
World number one Ash Barty takes on Zheng Saisai in their third round that will be played on Wednesday and it will be their fifth meeting at the highest level. Barty has won all their previous four matches, including once earlier this year at Wimbledon where the Aussie ran off to a straight-set victory in round one.
Barty, who had absolutely no difficulties in getting the better of Yulia Putintseva, came through 6-4, 6-2 and on paper shouldn’t have too many problems against an opponent she has beaten four times before this. However, the world number 39 from China, Saisai has had a fruitful year, having won a tournament on the hard court surfaces of San Jose earlier this season.
And that win included scalps of Amanda Anisimova, Maria Sakkari and Aryna Sabalenka, something that should act bit of a forewarning for Barty. Saisai has already got the better of Sloane Stephens in the second round and we could see a fight on our hands if Barty lets her guard down even more a moment.
Tip: Games Handicap Saisai Zheng +5.5: 11/10 with Unibet
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Kiki Bertens v Polona Hercog Predictions & Preview
The last time when Kiki Bertens and Polona Hercog faced off, the former had just broken into the top 150 while the latter was gunning back for the top 50. Hercog had won that contest, after Bertens retired from that match following the loss in the first set.
Things have changed quite a bit since. Bertens has moved into the eighth spot, with a career best of fourth in the rankings while Hercog is 51st in the world at the moment, having seen a year-low of 93rd.
Bertens’ brilliant ride up the rankings chart has been down to her performances on clay though. She did win a title on the indoor courts of St.Petersburg Open but another one at Madrid helped her move up the ladder. The hard court season hasn’t been that great, however, with a 1-4 win-loss record since the US Open.
Wins over Donna Vekic and Dayana Yastremska in this tournament, however, should help her against a player who has had a poorer hard court season than her. Just 11 wins from 15 matches, tempered a tad by the two wins in this tournament over Angelique Kerber and Julia Goerges means she might have an outside chance of taking Bertens to the distance.
Tip: Bertens to win in three sets: 3/1 with Unibet
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