Bouzkova vs Zakharova Prediction 21 October 2026
🔊 Marie Bouzková was due to face Iga Świątek in the second round of the 500 event in Ningbo, but the Pole withdrew from the tournament with a hip injury sustained in the semi-finals of the 1000 event in Wuhan. The Czech will now play Anastasia Zakharova, who lost in qualifying but entered the main draw as a lucky loser, going straight through to the round of 16. We'll see whether the Russian can take advantage of the opportunity and at least make it a contest against the world No. 26.
Head-to-Head
📊 Marie Bouzková and Anastasia Zakharova have not previously met.
Marie Bouzkova Player Overview
Marie Bouzková arrives in the second round in reasonable form - six wins from her last ten matches - though her record during the Asian swing leading into this tournament was level at 2-2. She opened the WTA 500 in Ningbo without too many difficulties, beating Kamilla Rakhimova 6-4, 6-4, albeit conceding a fair number of games. That kind of match length is typical for Bouzková: her average match runs to 20.4 games. She wins 66% of service points and lands her first serve at 74%. Her set-winning rate stands at 57%, and in each of her last three completed matches she conceded at least eight games.
Match Results: Marie Bouzkova
Anastasia Zakharova Player Overview
Anastasia Zakharova has been less consistent, winning only three of her last ten matches. She entered the Ningbo main draw as a lucky loser following Iga Świątek's withdrawal. In the final qualifying round, Zakharova lost to Polina Kudеrmetova 3-6, 3-6. Her average match total stands at 18.7 games, close to the tour average. On serve, she holds around 63% of her service games with a first-serve percentage of 67%. She also has a high double-fault rate (6%) and has frequently lost 0-2 in sets (7 of her last 10 matches), though her overall points balance is not far behind her upcoming opponent.
Match Results: Anastasia Zakharova
Key factors
- In 6 of Marie Bouzková's last 7 matches, the total exceeded 19.5 games.
- The average number of games per match is 20.4 for Bouzková and 18.7 for Zakharova.
- Marie Bouzková's form is more consistent, but in her last three wins she conceded at least eight games to her opponents.
Expected scenario
Even in a two-set format, a quick finish seems unlikely here. The Czech favourite tends to concede a fair number of games to her opponents, which is the main reason for that. Anastasia Zakharova will find it very difficult to trouble a top-26 WTA player, but she comes into this round fresh, whereas Marie Bouzková played 20 games in her opening match - so a bagel-heavy rout looks unlikely.
Total Games Prediction
Total Games - Over 19.5 has landed in 6 of Marie Bouzková's last 7 matches. Bouzková consistently plays high-game-count matches, so going over again seems reasonable here, particularly against a well-rested opponent who came through qualifying into the second round.
⭐ Editor's Pick
Marie Bouzková has rarely been finishing matches quickly of late: even against opponents of a similar level or lower, she tends to concede eight or more games. Anastasia Zakharova is, of course, well below the favourite in the rankings, but she arrives in the second round in better physical condition, having come through the first round - her most recent match before that was back in qualifying. That said, there is no reason to overstate Zakharova's chances: an outright thrashing seems unlikely, but a bet on Bouzková - Games Handicap -3.5 fits comfortably within the typical game-count range for matches involving the Czech player.
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Betting Tips: Marie Bouzkova - Anastasia Zakharova
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