Liudmila Samsonova vs Marta Kostyuk Prediction & Betting Tips - WTA China Open

Prediction published on 03/10/2023, 07:39  by Nella Wagah | Modified on 04/10/2023 at 05:16 in Tennis Predictions

Liudmila Samsonova and Marta Kostyuk, both unseeded, will renew their rivalry on Wednesday at the China Open. The two will battle in the third round with the winner playing either Jelena Ostapenko or Jessica Pegula in the quarters. Liudmila Samsonova has won all three previous meetings with Kostyuk. The latest was a straight-sets success in Washington back in August. This coupled with her hot streak in Beijing, will have her confidant of making the last eight. Samsonova has won her two rounds here without dropping a set. In her last match, the Russian surrendered nine games against former China Open finalist Petra Kvitova. Advancing to this round has allowed her to move up one place to 21st in the live ranking. Samsanova is making her Beijing debut and has so far compiled a 29-21 record with 21 of her victories coming on hard courts.

Marta Kostyuk has also won the majority of her matches this season on hard courts. The Ukrainian has compiled a 26-21 record and has registered 22 of her victories on hard courts. She defeated seventh seed Ons Jabuer in straight sets to set up this match with Samsonova. After needing to win a tiebreaker in the first set, Kostyuk was more decisive in the next and allowed Jabeur just one game. That win against a WTA top 10 player will have her confidant of halting Samsonova's dominance in this series. The reigning ATX Open champion is also making her debut in Beijing. Kostyuk is up four places to 40th in the live ranking.