Clara Tauson vs Harriet Dart - China Open Beijing Tennis Prediction and Pick 9/26/24

Clara Tauson, 21, has won two of her last 12 matches in all competitions. She is 28-22 for the season. On outdoor hard courts, Tauson is a lowly 10-11 in 2024. Tauson has lost eight first-round matches this season, including at her most recent tournament in Hua Hin almost two weeks ago against Katie Voylnets.

The Dane is a two-time champion on the WTA Tour but has not quite matched her career-best season in 2021, largely because of injuries that have affected her development. Some of her results this season can be attributed to a crisis of confidence rather than her ability because she is very talented. 

Harriet Dart, meanwhile, has been on the Tour for much longer than Clara Tauson. The Briton is seven years older and is currently ranked 76th in the WTA rankings. Dart has never ranked higher than 70th in her career and has mostly plied her trade on the ITF level. 

This season, Dart has compiled a 25-24 record. She last competed at the US Open towards the end of August and lost in the second round to Marta Kostyuk. The 28-year-old has won four of her last eight matches on hard courts.

Clara Tauson vs Harriet Dart Head-To-Head

• Tauson won the pair's only meeting at the 2021 Chicago Open in three sets.

Clara Tauson vs Harriet Dart Prediction

Tauson is armed with a powerful serve and heavier groundstrokes, which should help her dominate the baseline exchanges. She has often struggled to stay consistent with her hitting, and that has cost her in close defeats this season. Dart doesn't have the same strengths, but she is a better mover and counterpunches brilliantly against offensive-minded players. Neither player has set the world alight in recent weeks, especially when drawn against top-tier opposition. But I'll give the edge to Tauson here. The Dane favors these fast-paced courts as she can boss the rallies with her easy power.