WTA Ningbo final prediction: Andreeva vs. Kasatkina

A fascinating WTA Ningbo final awaits between Mirra Andreeva and Daria Kasatkina. Andreeva is hoping to win her second WTA title, while Kasatkina is looking for a seventh. Hopefully the final will live up to expectations after both semi-finals ended prematurely due to retirements. We at LWOT provide our prediction and analysis in this article, but which player do you think will win the title?

WTA Ningbo final prediction

Mirra Andreeva vs. Daria Kasatkina

Head to head: first meeting

Andreeva advanced very comfortably to the final. The 17-year-old defeated Varvara Lepchenko and Tamara Korpatsch before Barbora Krejcikova and Karolina Muchova retired in the next two matches. After receiving a bye in the opening round, Kasatkina defeated Katerina Siniakova and Yulia Putintseva in three sets. Paula Badosa withdrew from her semi-final against the Russian after the first set.

This will likely be a long and brutal battle. Conditions in Ningbo are very slow due to the humidity, making it difficult to hit winners consistently. Kasatkina and Andreeva are among the best athletes on the WTA Tour, increasing the points even further. Andreeva has a little more firepower and must choose the right moments to take risks on a field where it is difficult to hit through opponents.

Predicting a winner in this competition is quite a challenge. It could easily go either way, but Kasatkina could be a very slight favorite. She has more variety and craftsmanship than Andreeva, and that style sometimes bothers the teenager. The onus on Andreeva to dictate the rallies against a gritty opponent like Kasatkina may not be as much hers as it would be against an opponent who offers pace to divert. Andreeva’s natural talent can take her to victory if she finds her best tennis. But Kasatkina’s excellent fitness and concentration could make the difference in what promises to be a tough battle.

Prediction: Kasatkina in 3

Main photo credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports