Fourth seed Mirra Andreeva faces Chinese hope Yue Yuan in the second round. It is their first career meeting.
Andreeva is 21-9 on hard courts this season and has the all-court game to dominate most players outside the top 20. Her defence, depth and ability to change direction off both wings make her difficult to hit through. She did lose in Singapore recently, so her rhythm may need a game or two to settle.
Yuan, ranked 135th, beat Oleksandra Oliynykova 6-2, 6-3 in round one with 22 winners and aggressive baseline play. She will have the home crowd and nothing to lose, which can lead to a fast start. Her season record of 24-26 shows inconsistency, and sustaining that level against a counterpuncher as clean as Andreeva is a different task.
If Yuan's first serve lands and she attacks early, she can steal a set. Otherwise, Andreeva should absorb the pace and win the longer rallies.
Prediction: Andreeva to win in straight sets. Confidence: high.