Maria Sharapova comes into the match against Simona Halep after having overcome Ekaterina Makarova in the second round of the competition. The 30-year-old comes into the third round to face world number two Simona Halep who managed to overcome Magdalena Rybarikova following her retirement. China Open women predictions expect Halep to come out successful in this match. Let's see our tennis betting tips.

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Maria Sharapova – Stats and Form

Sharapova is ranked 103rd in the world coming into this match, although the Beijing WTA betting tips place her in a considerable position with regard to the tournament. The low ranking is down to the extended absence from the game. After having been through some relatively easy matches in the first few rounds of the tournament, Sharapova remains a great pick for success. She managed to overcome Makarova in a 6-4, 4-6, 6-1 win. In the first round of the competition, she was able to get a tight 7-6, 5-7, 7-6 win over Sevastova. Prior to the China Open, the Russian was involved in the US Open where she suffered a fourth round loss against Sevastova.

Simona Halep – Stats and Form

Halep has had an extremely comfortable passage into the third round of the China Open, and she has been placed as one of the favourites for this tournament by China Open predictions. Halep has been going through a difficult period after suffering a shock first round exit at the US Open. Surprisingly, this loss was against Maria Sharapova. As a result, Halep has had a difficult time of late with her best ever recent appearance being the final of the French Open back in June. She was able to reach the third round of the competition largely because of a retirement from Rybarikova, although the Romanian did win the first set quite comfortably. Beijing WTA odds place Halep at 6/1 for winning the tournament.

Beijing WTA Betting Tips for October 4

Even though Halep has been rated as one of the favourites for the China Open, she is not considered as a favourite to win this game. The Romanian was not expected to face such a strong opponent in the form of Sharapova as early as in the third round. Yet, coming up against the Russian presents a major challenge for Halep – mentally and physically. The Romanian suffered a 4-6, 6-4, 3-6 loss against the Russian in the first round of the US Open back in August. The China Open betting options go against Halep largely because of this defeat. There is little doubt that this defeat will play on the mind of the 26-year-old, who has had a difficult run of late. Even though she has had a comfortable match in the first round of the competition, the lack of a big fight in the second round places her at a disadvantage. Sharapova has had a comfortable passage into this round, she is expected to win the game. Sharapova can be backed at William Hill in our latest China Open betting odds.

For those interested in longer tennis betting odds, the Set Betting market seems to be the best decision. Since we gave plenty of reasons why Sharapova is fitter and mentally stronger than Halep right now (let's not forget the Romanian's loss in the first round at her first tournament after US Open – last week), going for an outright score such as this one seems logical. Why? The answer is simple: Halep is still one of the top players in the world and she won't give up without a fight. Looking at her stats as well as in our other betting tips, not just China Open predictions, we can see that she rarely loses a match without taking at least one set.