Jasmine Paolini, the 14th seed, takes on Ukraine's Daria Snigur in a first career meeting. This is the most competitive second-round match on the schedule.
Paolini is ranked 20th but has had an uneven year, going 19-15 overall and 10-8 on hard. She reached the Beijing quarterfinals in 2025, so she knows the conditions. Her game is built on relentless depth, quick feet and a flat two-handed backhand, and she tends to raise her level in big matches.
Snigur, ranked 46th, has been the more consistent player this season at 42-15 with two titles. She came through round one 3-6, 6-4, 7-5 over Katarzyna Kawa, which shows resilience but also a slow start. This is her Beijing debut, and a WTA 1000 stage against a top-20 opponent is a step up.
The pick leans on Paolini's experience and the higher ceiling, but Snigur's form makes this close. Expect a long match with lots of rallies.
Prediction: Paolini to win in three sets. Confidence: medium.