This will be a clash between two women at (mostly) opposite ends of the form spectrum. Big-hitting Russian lefty Diana Shniader took the tour by storm last season, winning four titles while bringing the bandana- kicking and screaming- into the 21st century.
2025 WTA Tour
WTA 1000
China Open
National Tennis Centre, Beijing, China (Outdoor Hardcourt)
Selected Round of 64 Matches- 27th September
Diana Shnaider (17) 0.85 vs Maya Joint 0.92
This will be a clash between two women at (mostly) opposite ends of the form spectrum. Big-hitting Russian lefty Diana Shniader took the tour by storm last season, winning four titles while bringing the bandana- kicking and screaming- into the 21st century. The Russian has been found out a bit this year, progressing beyond the quarterfinal stage in just one event. But she did go all the way in that one event, claiming her 2nd WTA 500 title at the recent Monterrey Open (beating in-form Alexandrova in the final). The ever-mercurial couldn’t back up that result, falling the first round of the US Open before a chastening defeat to Suzan Lamens at last week’s Korea Open. She does possess an excellent record in Asia, reaching her first final at the 2023 Ningbo Open before winning titles at last year’s Hua Hin Championships and Hong Kong Open. It will be interesting to see how the first-strike aficionado fares on these sluggish surfaces.
Aussie Maya Joint got her Beijing campaign off to a rollicking start, cruising past Victoria Jimenez Kasintseva 6-3, 6-2. Joint was dominant throughout, winning 73% of first-serve points while claiming 63% of the 2nd serve return points. 19-year-old Joint has been a minor revelation this season, winning titles in Rabat and Eastbourne. She also showcased her burgeoning hardcourt skills, reaching the semifinals in Hobart and at last week’s Korea Open. She did receive a slight reality check in Seoul, obliterated 6-0, 6-2 by the sadistic Iga Swiatek. Joint has solid variety and movement but had no answers to Swiatek’s vicious front-foot onslaught (Swiatek tends to thrive in slower conditions that give her time to setup that forehand). Joint should feel more comfortable against Shnaider, who tends to prefer quick, dynamic points. Joint could frustrate the Russian, using clever angles and kinetic movement to protract rallies.
The Verdict: Joint to win in straight sets at 1.95– This will be their first career meeting. Though Joint has been in excellent form, she may take some time to come to terms with Shnaider’s awkward lefty serve. I just think that the Aussie- in this kind of form- should have too much composure for the erratic Russian. Shnaider may look to overcompensate due to the lack in pace, forcing her to go for too much.
Emma Radacanu 0.28 vs Cristina Busca 2.55
Emma Radacanu will be looking to bounce back after throwing away a one-set lead against Krejcikova at last week’s Korea Open. Radacanu has nonetheless enjoyed an extremely encouraging campaign that augers well for the coming seasons. She has enjoyed sustained time on court this year, bringing a 27-19 record into this event. The 2021 US Open finalist managed to pick up some nifty milestones along the way, reaching a maiden WTA 1000 quarterfinal in Miami before winning three successive tour-level clay-court matches for the first time in Rome. She has shown glimpses of her best hardcourt form in recent months, reaching the Washington semifinal while pushing hardcourt demigoddess Aryna Sabalenka to three sets in Cincy. The World No.32 will be making her Beijing debut this week, looking to take the first steps to ensuring she is seeded at next year’s Aussie Open.
Next up for Radacanu is familiar foe Cristina Busca. 27-year-old Spaniard Cristina Busca is a nuggety pro who has achieved much of her success in doubles (she reached this year’s Miami Open final playing alongside Miyu Kato). She struggled for much of this year’s singles campaign, barely managing to scrape through qualifying rounds in the early portion of the season. But she has elevated her game at Grand Slam level, producing a career-best 3rd round finish at Wimbledon before repeating the dose with a 4th round run at the recent US Open (her best finish in any major). Busca was in inspired form at Flushing Meadows, taking out stalwart counterpuncher Elise Mertens and young upstart Alex Eala along the way. Busca has looked impressive in her first post-US Open outing, coming through qualifying before defying big-hitting Vekic 6-2, 6-4. Busca- who isn’t the biggest hitter on tour- looks to grind down her opponents with nimble footwork and commendable variety.
The Verdict: Radacanu to win in three at 3– These two share the head-to-head spoils at one win apiece (with both matches being played this season). Busca won a marathon match in Singapore back in January, coming from a set down to triumph 5-7, 7-5, 7-5. Radacanu got sweet, decisive revenge at Queen’s, cruising to a 6-1, 6-2 win. Radacanu may find it tough to get going on these slow surfaces but should have the firepower to prevail in three.
