Sports Mole previews Monday's Wuhan Open first-round match between Amanda Anisimova and Cristina Bucsa, including predictions, head-to-head and their tournament so far.

A spot in the round of 32 at the Wuhan Open will be on the line Monday when Amanda Anisimova takes on Cristina Bucsa for the first time.

In her previous tournament, the American was knocked out in the round of 16 of the Hanna Bank Open by Viktoriya Tomova, losing 5-7 1-4 before retiring, while the Spaniard was beaten in her opening round match at the US Open by Sara Errani 6-3 0-6 4-6.

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Match preview

After an encouraging start to 2024, making it to the last 16 of the ASB Classic and exiting the Australian Open singles draw at that same stage, it is shaping up to end in a similar fashion for Anisimova.

The 23-year-old American has made it to the quarter-finals or further in two of her previous three non-Grand Slam events, losing the National Bank Open final to Jessica Pegula 3-6 6-2 1-6.

That is the closest she has come to winning a WTA event this year, with her last three tournaments being on a hard court surface.

In 24 matches played this year, she has hit 73 aces, while her powerful backhand has been a massive weapon, converting 50.5% of her return points in 2024.

To this stage of 2024, she has managed to win 61.7% of her first serves but has won just over half of her service points (56.0%).

It has been a difficult couple of months for Cristina Bucsa, who has been knocked out of her opening-round match in three of her previous four tournament appearances.

In the Olympics this summer in Paris, she collected a bronze medal in women's doubles alongside partner Sara Sorribes Tormo on the clay surface, but the hard court has not been her strong suit.

The Spaniard has only won one of her last four matches played on the hard court, defeating Martina Trevisan at the Tennis in the Land event in straight sets 6-2 6-4.

This year, she has won 67.7% of her first serves despite only hitting 28 aces and registering 81 double faults in 27 matches played.

She has been able to convert just under 50% of her break points (47.2%) but has won only 35.2% of her service games this year.

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We say: Anisimova to win in three sets

The American's powerful groundstrokes and strong return game could make the difference, as Anisimova seems to excel much more in that department than Bucsa.

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