WTA Beijing: Swiatek takes on Gracheva in second round clash

Preview and prediction for upcoming match at the 2023 China Open

World No. 1 Iga Swiatek will take on Varvara Gracheva in the second round of the 2023 China Open in Beijing on Tuesday, October 3.

Swiatek is the top seed in Beijing and is coming off a disappointing third-round exit at the US Open. However, she has been in good form since then, winning the San Diego Open and reaching the quarterfinals of the Ostrava Open.

Gracheva, meanwhile, is ranked 87th in the world and is coming off a second-round exit at the US Open. She has not won a WTA title in her career, but she has reached the semifinals of two WTA tournaments this year.

This will be the first meeting between Swiatek and Gracheva. Swiatek is the clear favorite, but Gracheva has the potential to cause an upset. She is a powerful hitter and is very aggressive on the court.

The match is expected to be close, but Swiatek should ultimately prevail. She is the more experienced player and is in better form. She is also the more consistent player, which will be key in a match that is likely to be decided by small margins.