Clara Burel vs Caroline Dolehide Prediction & Betting Tips - WTA China Open

Prediction published on 24/09/2024, 07:36  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 24/09/2024 at 08:01 in Tennis Predictions

A match against fourth seed Coco Gauff awaits the winner of this first round match in Beijing. Clara Burel takes on fellow unseeded player Carolime Dolehide. Who'll win? Here's our match prediction.

Burel is at 56th in the latest rankings but in July of this year was a career-high 42nd. Neither of these two players are in great form at present and will be hoping to avoid a first round exit in this WTA 1000 hard court tournament.

Last week saw Burel lose in the second round of the Jasmin Open in Tunisia to Rebecca Sramkova. Her opponent was ranked 136th at the time of that match. Before that, the 23-year-old lost to Victoria Azarenka in the US Open second round.

That tournament had seen her beat Sloane Stephens in round one. Not a bad achievement after losing the first set without winning a game. Some better form had been shown in Cleveland where the quarter-finals were reached.

That was her third WTA Tour last eight appearance in 2024, two being on hard courts. There's been one previous meeting between these two players. That was at the US Open last year and won by Burel in straight sets.

Caroline Dolehide is the world number 98, way below the career-high of 41st the American achieved last year. Her form is disappointing at present and will be attempting here to avoid a third consecutive defeat.

Only one of her last six matches has been won and all were played on hard courts. This year has seen her win only eight of her 22 matches played on this surface. Recapturing the form that took her to the last four in Washington in August is her aim.

We tip Burel to win this match.