The WTA Wuhan Open should continue to serve up plenty of entertaning tennis with 14 matches on the slate on day three. As ever, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the slate, including Jessica Pegula vs Hailey Baptiste and Aryna Sabalenka vs Rebecca Sramkova. But who will book their spot in the third round in China?

WTA Wuhan Day 3 Predictions
Ekaterina Alexandrova vs Ann Li

Head-to-head: Alexandrova 1-0 Li

Ekaterina Alexandrova’s aggressive baseline game tends to thrive on faster surfaces, and she’s looked sharp in her first round win against Victoria Mboko with her serve and forehand clicking in tandem. Ann Li has been solid but inconsistent, struggling to find rhythm against higher-ranked opponents lately. Their previous meeting was tight, yet Alexandrova’s current level suggests she might dictate more of the exchanges this time.

Prediction: Alexandrova in 3
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Antonia Ruzic vs Clara Tauson

Head-to-head: Tauson 1-0 Ruzic

Antonia Ruzic has quietly put together a string of confident performances and will surely be full of confidence coming into this match. However, Clara Tauson’s hard-court experience and natural shot-making edge could make a difference here. The Dane’s clean hitting and ability to take the ball early have troubled players of Ruzic’s profile before. Expect patches of resistance from Ruzic, though Tauson’s weight of shot may eventually tell.

Prediction: Tauson in 2

Sofia Kenin vs Liudmila Samsonova

Head-to-head: Kenin 2-0 Samsonova

Sofia Kenin has shown glimpses of her best form this season, particularly her ability to counterpunch and redirect pace. But she has struggled for consistency and is, as a result, along way from returning to the very top of the game. She will be tested here too with Liudmila Samsonova one of the biggest servers on tour, capable of taking the racquet out of her opponent’s hands when she’s in rhythm but she has been plagued by inconsistency of late. Kenin has held a firm grip in this match in the past and this could go the same way if Kenin holds her nerve in key moments.

Prediction: Kenin in 2
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Coco Gauff vs Moyuka Uchijima

Head-to-bead: Gauff 1-0 Uchijima

Moyuka Uchijima’s rise up the rankings has been steady, underpinned by solid movement and a useful serve that is beginning to develop into a weapon of note, but she faces a stern test here. Coco Gauff was unable to defend her title in Beijing, falling short in the semifinals to eventual champion Amanda Anisimova, and will be looking to bounce back from that disappointment. The American’s athleticism and improved baseline aggression have served her well on hard courts this season, and, whilst Uchijima’s tenacity could extend rallies, though Gauff’s firepower and competitive edge should see her safely through into the WTA Wuhan third round.

Prediction: Gauff in 2

Main photo credit: Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images