Match Details
Fixture: (PR) Karolina Muchova vs (LL) Jaqueline Cristian
Date: October 17, 2024
Tournament: Ningbo Open 2024
Round: Second Round (Round of 16)
Venue: Yinzhou Tennis Center, Ningbo, China
Category: WTA 500
Surface: Hard
Prize Money: $922,573
Live Telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Sky Sports
Karolina Muchova vs Jaqueline Cristian preview
Karolina Muchova will take on lucky loser Jaqueline Cristian in the second round of the Ningbo Open 2024 on Thursday (October 17).
Muchova drew qualifier Olivia Gadecki in her opener here. The Czech breezed through the first set as she toyed with her opponent from start to finish. She broke her younger rival's serve twice to take a one-set lead.
Gadecki was more cautious of Muchova's tricks in the second set, and played with more intent. The former led by a break twice only for the latter to get back on serve. The Australian's slip-up proved to be costly for her.
Gadecki served to stay in the match at 6-5, and held three game points to force a tie-break. However, Muchova turned up the pressure, and secured a final break of serve to register a 6-3, 7-5 win.
Cristian, meanwhile, lost to Kathinka von Deichmann 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the first round of qualifying. However, Zheng Qinwen's last-minute withdrawal opened up a lucky loser slot. She took her place in the draw, and even received a first-round bye in an incredible stroke of luck.
Karolina Muchova vs Jaqueline Cristian head-to-head
Muchova leads Cristian 2-0 in the head-to-head. She won their previous encounter in the third round of last month's China Open in straight sets.
Karolina Muchova vs Jaqueline Cristian odds
(Odds are sourced from BetMGM)
Karolina Muchova vs Jaqueline Cristian prediction
Cristian's fortunes have swung wildly over the last three weeks. She tallied the first top-10 win of her career by beating World No. 10 Barbora Krejcikova at the China Open. Earlier this week she lost to No. 169 von Deichmann in the qualifiers but got a second lease of life as a lucky loser.
After a strong start, Muchova toughed out a challenge from Gadecki to advance further. Following a runner-up finish at the China Open, she skipped the Wuhan Open as a precautionary measure, given her history of injuries.
Muchova also beat Cristian en route to the final in Beijing, and dropped only four games during their third-round contest. The Czech's last three losses have come against top-10 players. Furthermore, she has a 11-1 record against players ranked outside the top 50.
Her only loss came against the in-form Paula Badosa, who was ranked 93rd when they met in July, and has since made her way into the top 20. Cristian was completely outfoxed by Muchova when they met a fortnight ago. A different outcome seems unlikely given the Czech's recent results.
Pick: Karolina Muchova to win in straight sets.