Xiyu Wang vs Rebecca Sramkova Prediction & Betting Tips - WTA Hungarian Grand Prix

Prediction published on 17/07/2024, 05:59  by Ian John | Modified on 17/07/2024 at 06:44 in Tennis Predictions

Get ready for a battle at the baseline in the Hungarian Grand Prix Round 2 match between China's Xiyu Wang and Slovakian Rebecca Sramkova! Our prediction here is for a close encounter between the two in what will be their first-ever match against each other.  With a quarterfinal against either Bernarda Pera of the United States (who won this tournament in 2022) or Germany's Eva Lys awaiting the winner, this should be a keenly fought contest between two players with contrasting skills.

Of the two, Wang is the player who has the pedigree in terms of competing against better-quality opponents. The Chinese star is much higher in the rankings than her opponent and has played most of her games on the main tour. She lost to compatriot Yue Yuan in the final in Austin back in February, serving 24 aces on her way to that runners-up spot. 

Her serving was impressive in her first-round win over Romania's Anca Alexia Todoni (7-6(4), 7-5) in this tournament, too. She has also been in good form on clay of late, reaching the semi-finals of the Makarska 125 at the start of June. 

Sramkova started the year very well, winning the W50 Porto event and then reaching the Round of 16 in Rome, defeating Katie Boulter and Sofia Kenin before losing to ninth seed Jelena Ostapenko. She came through qualifying at the French Open, winning three matches before a first-round loss to Amanda Anisimova. 

Since then, though, her form has deserted her a little. A Round of 16 loss in Valencia was followed by first-round exits at Wimbledon and Bastad 125 before her first-round victory over Romania's Miriam Bianca Bulgaru (6-3, 4-6, 6-4) earned her a place in the second round here and a shot at the third seed in the tournament.