Sports Mole previews Wednesday's Wuhan Open spherical of 32 match between Jessica Pegula and Anastasia Potapova, together with predictions, head-to-head and their match to date.
Jessica Pegula begins her quest for a 3rd victory on the WTA tour this 12 months when she faces Anastasia Potapova within the Wuhan Open spherical of 32 on Wednesday.
At the China Open earlier this month, Pegula was eradicated by Paula Badosa in straight units 4-6 0-6, whereas Potapova got here from behind to defeat Katie Volynets in her earlier match at this match 5-7 6-3 7-5.
Match preview
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Fresh off an early exit at the China Open, Jessica Pegula continues to hunt her first match victory in Asia since capturing the Hanna Bank Open in October of final 12 months.
On that event, she defeated Yue Yuan in straight units, however the American has misplaced within the last in two of her earlier three WTA occasions, shedding the US Open last versus Aryna Sabalenka.
Her final tour victory occurred on the onerous courtroom at the National Bank Open in August, defeating Amanda Anisimova within the last, whereas the American has not misplaced a gap match on that floor in her final 4 match appearances.
Pegula has had her service sport working nicely all year long, profitable 67.3 of her first serves and claiming 73.2% of her first serve video games.
Her highly effective serve has been on show for all to see, with the American hitting 162 aces in 2024, however she has additionally dedicated 112 double faults.
In 47 matches performed this 12 months, she has gained over half of her second return factors (56.8%) however has gained fewer than 40% (36.9%) of her return video games.
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After a troublesome begin to her opening match at this match, Anastasia Potapova got here on sturdy within the last two units and superior.
The 23-12 months-previous Russian dedicated 13 double faults however made up for that with a powerful return sport, profitable 10 of her 15 break level alternatives.
Unforced errors have been her undoing all through the 2024 marketing campaign, with Potapova placing up 219 double faults with solely 109 aces.
She has been knocked out within the spherical of 32 or earlier in her earlier two tournaments on tour and is trying to transcend that stage for the primary time since shedding to McCartney Kessler within the semi-finals of the Tennis within the Land occasion in August.
So far this 12 months, Potapova has gained simply over 65% (65.9%) of her first serves whereas profitable 66.3% of her service video games in 2024.
A powerful forehand has stored her in matches, changing 42.6% of her break factors in 2024 and profitable over 50% (54.4%) of her second return factors.
Tournament to date
Potapova:
Round of 64: vs. Katie Volynets 5-7 6-3 7-5
Head To Head
Qatar Total Open (2021) – Qualifier 2: Pegula wins 6-2 6-7 7-6
US Open (2021) – First Round: Pegula wins 6-2 6-2
BNP Paribas Open (2023) – Third Round: Pegula wins 3-6 6-4 7-5
Miami Open (2023) – Quarter-finals: Pegula wins 4-6 6-3 7-6
The first assembly between these two in Qatar noticed Pegula emerge victorious on account of profitable 47% of her break factors and 62% of her first serves.
At Flushing Meadows later within the 12 months, the American was overpowering on serve, profitable 73% of her first serves, together with 5 of her eight break level possibilities.
In March 2023, the younger Russian dedicated numerous errors, registering 9 double faults whereas profitable 51% of her second serves, whereas Pegula gained 61% of hers.
We say: Pegula to win in two units
Even although she exited her earlier match sooner than anticipated, there's rather more to love about Pegula's sport than Potapova's, because the American has been a lot cleaner general.
