Rybakina Races On, Muchova Faces Cirstea Test in Beijing
The China Open in Beijing continues to deliver high-stakes WTA action, with two compelling third-round matches headlining the Day 3 schedule. The spotlight falls on world number five Elena Rybakina as she looks to maintain her formidable hard-court form against American Caty McNally. Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, arrives in Beijing with significant momentum. Her successful North American swing, which included semi-final appearances in Washington, Montreal, and Cincinnati, culminated in a strong 13-4 record. She has carried that confidence into China, already notching a statement victory over top-ten opponent Jessica Pegula in the Billie Jean King Cup in Shenzhen just prior to this tournament. This impressive run establishes her as a clear favourite. Her opponent, Caty McNally, is a talented doubles specialist known for her crafty net play and solid serve. However, the primary challenge for McNally will be finding a way to penetrate Rybakina’s powerful and consistent baseline game. The Kazakh’s dominant serve and aggressive groundstrokes make her a tough matchup for any player, and she is heavily favoured to advance.