Shuai Zhang vs Paula Badosa Prediction, Picks, Odds, H2H, Stats - 10/2/24

In an unlikely matchup in the quarterfinals of the China Open, Shuai Zhang will face Paula Badosa on Wednesday in Beijing with a spot in the semifinal on the line.

Shuai Zhang has enjoyed home cookin’ and after snapping a 24-game losing streak the Chinese native is 4 – 0 in Beijing.

Zhang will be a considerable underdog against the Spaniard as Badosa is favored at -525 and is expected to ease into the final four of this WTA1000 event in China.

EJ Garr’s Shuai Zhang vs Paula Badosa prediction features odds at +138 at bet365 and a bonus tip with a line of -105 is offered below.

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Shuai Zhang vs Paula Badosa Prediction: Spaniard The Heavy Chalk in Beijing

• Prediction: 1st Set Total Over 9.5 Games
• Best Odds: +138
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stakes: 3/10

It is hard to imagine enduring a 24-match losing streak but Shuai Zhang has put it in the past and is suddenly in the quarterfinals of the China Open. 

Zhang was a +250 underdog against McCartney Kessler in the first round, and the wildcard entrant blew past the American with a pair of 7 – 6 sets to pull off the 1st upset in Beijing.

At +1000 against Emma Navarro, arguably the biggest surprise in this event transpired as Zhang destroyed the 8th-ranked American at 4 and 2 in the second round. Zhang was a sog against Minnen and Frech and is now 4 – 0 as an underdog.

Paula Badosa easily got past Jessica Pegula and that louse effort from the American cost me a play yesterday on that Over 2.5 sets prop. I wasn’t shocked by the 6 – 4 first set win for Badosa but the 6 – 0 second set to remove Pegula from the event was a jaw-dropper.

As well as Paula Badosa is playing I have my eyes on this first set prop to hit 10 games to cash a +138 ticket. The Over 9.5 has hit in two of three matches for Badosa and three out of four affairs for Zhang in this event. 

I expect a 6 – 4, 6 – 3 win for Badosa so I am calling for the Over 9.5 Games 1st set and the Under 20 games at -105 as a bonus offer.

SHUAI ZHANG RECENT FORM

Shuai Zhang should see that ugly 595 number change after four wins in Beijing but she isn’t done yet! The 38-year-old Chinese native has found the fountain of youth in her home country which is a pleasant surprise. 

Despite the resurgence, Zhang will be up against a different animal today and Badosa wants to be in the top 10 before the end of the campaign.

Zhang ended 2023 losing the final 16 matches of the season and started 2024 0 – 8 before a first-round win in Beijing. 

PAULA BADOSA RECENT FORM

Paula Badosa is ranked 19th on the WTA Tour and the Spaniard can climb closer to getting back in the top 10 with a deep run at the China Open. 

Badosa was ranked 8th in 2021 before all of the back injuries cost her time away from the sport and so far, so good with the return to the WTA Tour.

Paula is 17 – 3 since the beginning of the North American swing including a run to the Washington DC title.

ZHANG VS BODOSA H2H –  STAT OF THE MATCH

This quarterfinal affair in Beijing marks the first meeting between Zhang and Badosa.

The winner of this match will advance to the semifinal to play either Yulia Starodubtseva or Coco Gauff. You can find my preview for that match here at Bettingexpert today so please check that out!

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