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THE FACTS
When is Veronika Kudermetova vs Lesia Tsurenko on and what time does it start? Veronika Kudermetova vs Lesia Tsurenko will take place on Tuesday 3rd October, 2023 – not before 08:00 (UK)
Where is Veronika Kudermetova vs Lesia Tsurenko taking place? Veronika Kudermetova vs Lesia Tsurenko will take place at the National Tennis Center in Beijing, USA
What surface is Veronika Kudermetova vs Lesia Tsurenko being played on? Veronika Kudermetova vs Lesia Tsurenko will take place on an outdoor hard court
What channel is Veronika Kudermetova vs Lesia Tsurenko on in the UK? Veronika Kudermetova vs Lesia Tsurenko will be televised live on the Amazon Prime app on Smart TVs
Where can I stream Veronika Kudermetova vs Lesia Tsurenko in the UK? Amazon Prime subscribers can stream Veronika Kudermetova vs Lesia Tsurenko live on the Prime Video app
THE PREDICTION
World number 16 Veronika Kudermetova received a bye to the second round of the China Open after winning the biggest title of her career in Tokyo on Sunday, dismissing Jessica Pegula in straight sets. The 26-year-old found the form of her life on clay earlier this year, making back-to-back semi-finals in Madrid and Rome, before confidence seemed to evaporate entirely from her game. A three-set victory over Iga Swiatek in the quarter-finals last week would have been a huge boost, though, and the Russian takes a five-match winning streak into the China Open to look a considerable dark horse for the latter stages at least. World number 49 Lesia Tsurenko was on control of her opening match against Chinese number two Lin Zhu before her opponent was forced to retire injured in the second set – something Tsurenko is more often than not on the receiving end. The 34-year-old has found some strong renaissance form over the past two seasons, occasionally hampered by injuries, and she is well capable of spoiling Kudermetova’s run if the Russian struggles to recalibrate in time.
There will be an undercurrent of tension here between a Russian and a Ukrainian that we have yet to see play out in China and the crowd could, potentially, not react in the same sympathetic way that has become the norm across the rest of the world. For this reason, it is probably worth leaving this match be. Particularly as Tsurenko has occasionally struggled with the pressure of having to face a Russian player whilst her home nation is under siege.