Andreeva in 3 sets. Enjoy the match, and don't forget your popcorn.
Saddle up sports fans, we've got ourselves a barn-burner of a tennis match lined up. Magda Linette is coming head-to-head with Mirra Andreeva in China's Open Round of 16. Tokens are being placed on Andreeva, for sure. But then again, aren't surprises the spice of life?
Looking at their past matchups, it's quite the see-saw situation. Linette gave Andreeva a solid thump in July, winning two love, and yet, Andreeva clapped back the previous year with an identical margin. You might say, we're evenly split, like a couple deciding who gets the dog.
And who can ignore recent performances? Andreeva has flicked some decent players off her shoulder, making light of the likes of Begu and Vekić. But she's also slipped on occasion, letting a couple of matches - very winnable matches - slide away. Some would say she's flirting with inconsistency, the unforgiving mistress.
Madame Linette though, is no shrinking violet either. She's been cantering her way through, taking out Paolini and a few others with a flick of her racquet. But a disturbing trend is the few matches she gifted to her opponents, including one to Jovic. Not exactly as invincible as a fortified castle, now, is she?
And did you remember about the tournament seed? Andreeva is seated pretty comfortably at 17 while Linette is biting the dust at 31. Talk about looking down from the high horse, eh?
Well, game time, ladies and gents. Place your bets, and remember I take no responsibility. My prediction, given Andreeva's slight edge?
Albert’s Prediction: Andreeva in 3 sets. Enjoy the match, and don't forget your popcorn.