Belinda Bencic vs Jelena Ostapenko WTA Ningbo Tips, Prediction & Live Stream - Ostapenko targets upset over struggling Bencic
Belinda Bencic faces Jelena Ostapenko in the first round of the WTA Ningbo Open, with Bencic struggling after a hip injury and recent poor results, including four losses in her last five matches. In contrast, Ostapenko arrives in top form, having won all her Asian swing R1 matches and making a semi-final run in Wuhan. The article concludes by recommending Ostapenko for the upset, noting her recent successes and Bencic's ongoing challenges. Live streaming details are provided for fans to watch the match.
- Belinda Bencic vs Jelena Ostapenko predictions for Tuesday's WTA Ningbo R1
- Bencic without a top 100 win since August, struggling after hip injury
- Ostapenko in good form following Wuhan semi-final, tipped for the upset
- The match is scheduled to start around 8.00pm AEDT on Tuesday October 20
Belinda Bencic v Jelena Ostapenko Live StreamWatch live online at bet365 > Tennis > WTA Ningbo. T&Cs apply.
Watch and bet
To use the Live Streaming service you will need to be logged in and have a funded account or to have placed a bet in the last 24 hours. Note, under Australian law, Live Streaming is exempt from Parts 3 and 4 of the Broadcasting Services (Online Content Service Provider Rules) 2018.
Belinda Bencic vs Jelena Ostapenko WTA Ningbo Tips, Prediction & Live Stream
Belinda Bencic is struggling following her return from a hip injury, so Jelena Ostapenko is backed to continue her red-hot form and register the upset when the pair square off in the first round of the Ningbo Open on Tuesday.
Bencic hasn't been the same since being forced to withdraw from the Canada Open with a hip injury in August.
The Swiss hasn't beaten anyone inside the top 100 since that tournament, coming into this clash having lost four of her last five matches.
Of course Ostapenko remains arguably the most volatile player on tour, so backing her always comes with an element of risk.
But the Latvian looks in the zone right now - she's won her R1 at all three events this Asian swing and is coming off a semi-final run in Wuhan, taking two top 20 scalps along the way.
Ostapenko will sense an opportunity for another big scalp here and Bencic just can't be backed right now after getting bagelled by Sonay Kartal in Wuhan.
I'll take Ostapenko for the upset, with a smaller stake on a straight sets victory.
Bencic vs Ostapenko Stats & Trends
- Bencic has lost four of her last five matches, three coming in straight sets
- Bencic hasn't beaten a top 100 player since August
- Bencic has a 10-9 record vs top 30 players this season
- Ostapenko has a 9-7 record in her last 16 matches vs top 20 players
- Ostapenko has a 3-0 record in R1 matches this Asian swing
Bencic vs Ostapenko Head To Head
Bencic leads 2-1, but both victories were relatively close encounters.
| Year | Tournament | Round | Surface | Winner | Loser | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Australian Open | Round of 128 | Hard | Belinda Bencic | Jelena Ostapenko | 6–3, 7–6(8–6) |
| 2020 | Australian Open | Round of 64 | Hard | Belinda Bencic | Jelena Ostapenko | 7–5, 7–5 |
| 2018 | Indian Wells | Round of 64 | Hard | Jelena Ostapenko | Belinda Bencic | 6–4, 3–6, 6–1 |
Belinda Bencic Form Analysis
- WTA 2026 Record: 28-14
- WTA Ningbo Record: 2-1
- Current Ranking: No. 14
- Career-High Ranking: No. 4 (2020)
It's been a relatively disappointing season for Bencic.
Aside from team events, the Swiss hasn't advanced to a single semi-final in 2026, while she also failed to go beyond the R16 at any slams.
Bencic might have been on the cusp of a first semi-final in Toronto, but she was forced to withdraw from her quarter-final due to a hip injury.
The 29-year-old retired in her following tournament at Cincinnati before a first round US Open exit to Yulia Putintseva.
Bencic went out to Ann Li in her second match in Beijing and was unfortunate to run into eventual finalist Sonay Kartal in her Wuhan opener last week, suffering a 6-0 7-5 defeat.
This will be Bencic's second appearance in Ningbo following last year's quarter-final exit to Jasmine Paolini.
Jelena Ostapenko Form Analysis
- WTA 2026 Record: 27-21
- WTA Ningbo Record: 0-0
- Current Ranking: No. 24
- Career-High Ranking: No. 5 (2018)
Ostapenko has made three semi-finals in 2026 at Doha, Eastbourne and last week in Wuhan, where she conquered the likes of Diana Shnaider and Jessica Pegula before going down to Kartal.
It was an important tournament for Ostapenko to restore some confidence after going winless between Wimbledon and the US Open.
That run to the Wuhan final four has propelled Ostapenko back into the world's top 30 and she will be keen for another big week in Ningbo after also winning her opening round matches in Seoul and Beijing this swing.
The 29-year-old will be making her Ningbo Open debut here.
Bencic vs Ostapenko Live Stream
Watch and bet on Belinda Bencic vs Jelena Ostapenko live tennis from Ningbo.
You can watch and bet on the match live at Unibet > Tennis > WTA Ningbo with the action available to stream on desktop and mobile.
Geo-restrictions apply, you'll need a funded account or to have placed a bet in the last 24 hours to gain access. 18+ terms and conditions apply.
Verdict
Bencic has been struggling after injury, so Ostapenko looks good value for the upset in Ningbo.
Ostapenko Win
H2H
$2.25 - 2 Units
Download the dabble app
with referral code BETSAU
Download the dabble app, enter referral code BETSAU to enjoy Dabble, the betting app with a difference! Bet as normal with & also be part of Australia's betting community where you can follow punters and sports stars, copy their bets, have banter with your mates & watch Sky Racing channels. 18+. T&Cs apply. What are you prepared to lose today? Set a deposit limit.
Ostapenko 2-0
Set Betting
$3.80 - 1 Unit
Crownbet is built for the Big Moments
use referral code BETS
The CrownBet referral code is BETS. 18+. T&Cs apply. Chances are you're about to lose.
Top Betting Sites
Betting offers
Upcoming Events
20 October 2026
- Grafton - October 20 -
- Horse Racing
- Kyneton- October 20 -
- Horse Racing
- Belinda Bencic vs Jelena Ostapenko -
- Tennis
- Karen Khachanov vs Rei Sakamoto -
- Tennis
21 October 2026
- Tasmania JackJumpers vs Brisbane Bullets -
- Basketball
24 October 2026
- Cox Plate -
- Horse Racing
- Spring Champion Stakes -
- Horse Racing
Load More
