Carol Zhao vs Varvara Gracheva Prediction & Betting Tips - Chennai, India, Qualifying

Prediction published on 14/09/2022, 10:58  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 14/09/2022 at 11:59 in Tennis Predictions

Second seeded Varvara Gracheva is up against unseeded Carol Zhao in the second round of the Chennai Open. Gracheva is the highest seed left in the tournament after top seed Allison Riske lost in the first round. Gracheva began this week ranked 80th in the world but is 89th in the live rankings. Gracheva came into this tournament not having won a match since June and lost ten in a row since then. If winning this match, it will be her first quarter final appearance of the year. The Russian did get to the third round at Roland Garros this year. Her losing streak ended when beating Mariia Tkacheva in straight sets.

Carol Zhao is the world 187 with a career high of 131st four years ago. The Canadian has also struggled with her form of late and had lost five straight matches before this tournament. There has been success this year but on the ITF tour, winning a couple of tournaments. Zhao has never played in the main draw of a Grand Slam. The only one she played in this year ended with a loss in the first qualifying round in the US Open. The first round saw her defeat Olivia Tjandramulia for the loss of only two games but her opponent is ranked outside the top 400. Gracheva should be backed to win and take on either Rebecca Peterson or Linda Fruhvirtova in the last eight.