Amanda Anisimova vs Cristina Bucsa Wuhan Open Preview

It has been nearly two months since Amanda Anisomova reached the first WTA 1000 final of her career at the National Bank Open in Toronto. The 22-year-old's run to that stage included a stunning quarterfinal victory against Aryna Sabalenka, who won the US Open a few weeks later. Anisimova lost the final in three sets to Jessica Pegula. She also brilliantly shut down a troll during her time in Toronto.

The 2019 French Open semifinalist, who returned from a hiatus at the start of the year, must defeat Cristina Bucsa to have a chance of making a similar run at the Wuhan Open. Bucsa is a tricky opponent with an awkward playing style, meaning Anisimova will need to work hard to have a chance of prevailing

Amanda Anisimova and Cristina Bucsa's head-to-head and recent form

The pair have never met on the WTA Tour, but they both played well at the China Open last week. Anisimova overcame two gritty opponents to reach the round of 16 in Beijing. She recovered from a set down against the feisty and determined Camila Osorio before beating Daria Kasatkina for the fifth time in a row without dropping a set.

Bucsa's run to the round of 16 of the China Open was her best performance at a WTA 1000 tournament. After comfortably defeating Yao Xinxin in the opening round, she knocked out the seeded players Liudmila Samsonova and Elise Mertens. Karolina Muchova proved too strong in the round of 16, but the Spaniard responded by winning two qualifying matches in straight sets to progress to the main draw of the Wuhan Open.

Is Bucsa's playing style a good or a bad matchup for Anisimova?

Anisimova's dominant record against Kasatkina shows she usually thrives against players who give her time on her groundstrokes. Bucsa will also do that since she is not a powerful hitter. The Spaniard is faster around the court than some realize, although she is not as quick as Osorio or Kasatkina.

However, Bucsa hits the ball with less topspin than either of those players. Anisimova likes the ball bouncing up to at least hip height, something the Spaniard will routinely deny her. That makes the matchup somewhat mixed for the American since she'll get some time on her shots but not the level of bounce she would prefer.

Both women can try and use the conditions in Wuhan to their advantage

The courts at the Wuhan Open are slightly quicker than the China Open. That could favor Anisimova due to the greater weight of shot she possesses on her groundstrokes and return. But Bucsa may benefit from the 22-year-old not being as able to have an easy hit on second-serve return, something she did to devastating effect in Toronto.

Bucsa may be marginally happier playing on a quicker court. Anisimova's footwork is the weakest part of her game and redirecting the American's pace with her flat shots low at her ankles might bring Bucsa some joy. Overall, Anisimova's greater firepower and natural ability make her the favorite, but the Spaniard should not be ruled out.

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