Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the WTA Finals match.
Jasmine Paolini and Zheng Qinwen will battle for the second spot in the semifinals of the WTA Finals. For Paolini, this is an opportunity to become the highest-ranked Italian female tennis player in history, while Zheng aims to reach a career-high by breaking into the top 3.
Jasmine Paolini
Currently ranked fourth in the world, Paolini holds a positive indoor record of 38-37. This season, the Italian has proven she can withstand pressure from formidable opponents. She won her opening match against Elena Rybakina (7:6, 6:4) and put up a fight against Aryna Sabalenka (3:6, 5:7), where she managed to break serve three times and created two set points. Interestingly, in six of her last seven encounters against top-10 players, a total over 20.5 games was recorded, highlighting her ability to engage in long, competitive matches. Despite not having the most imposing stature, Paolini exhibits exceptional endurance and a willingness to fight for every point, which could be pivotal in the upcoming match.
Zheng Qinwen
Zheng Qinwen, the world's number seven, boasts a 30-8 record indoors, indicating her strong performance on this surface. Known for her aggressive style, the Chinese player aims to dictate play and maintain high speeds, which could pose a threat to the defensively sound Paolini. This season, Zheng has struggled somewhat against top-10 opponents, winning only 3 out of 10 encounters. She possesses a strong first serve with a 52% accuracy rate, is active on the return, and delivers powerful strokes from both wings. Zheng also holds an advantage in head-to-head matches against Paolini, having won all three encounters.
Jasmine Paolini vs Zheng Qinwen Prediction
Considering Paolini's high motivation and current form, she has a strong chance of winning this match. Despite Zheng's positive head-to-head record, the Italian's form and court confidence make her the favourite. We anticipate a tightly contested match, and therefore, suggest a bet on a total over 19.5.
