Marta Kostyuk vs Ekaterina Alexandrova WTA Ningbo Tips, Prediction & Live Stream - Alexandrova targets fourth top 10 win of 2026
Ekaterina Alexandrova is backed to cause an upset against Marta Kostyuk in the WTA Ningbo Open second round. Alexandrova, who reached last year's final and has three top 10 wins this season, comes in with better recent form, while Kostyuk has not won a match since the US Open. The article recommends the Over 21.5 games market, anticipating a closely contested match, but sees Alexandrova as the likely victor as she seeks her 23rd career top 10 scalp.
- Marta Kostyuk vs Ekaterina Alexandrova predictions for Wednesday's WTA Ningbo R1
- Kostyuk winless since the US Open, has seen Over 21.5 games in last three defeats
- Alexandrova always dangerous, has three top 10 wins for the year
- The match is scheduled to start around 10.00pm AEDT on Wednesday October 21
Marta Kostyuk v Ekaterina Alexandrova 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.
Marta Kostyuk vs Ekaterina Alexandrova WTA Ningbo Tips, Prediction & Live Stream
Ekaterina Alexandrova made the Ningbo Open final last year and has three top 10 victories this season, while Marta Kostyuk hasn't won since the US Open - Over 21.5 total games is the main play, with the Russian also backed for the upset in this second round showdown.
It was a horror start to the season for Alexandrova, but a return to hardcourt has sparked an upturn in form and I think she's good value for the win here.
Alexandrova has beaten the likes of Aryna Sabalenka, Linda Noskova and Diana Shnaider on hardcourt over the last couple of months, while she was dominant straight sets winner in her Ningbo first round.
Kostyuk has been on fire for the bulk of the year, but she's hit a bit of a wall over the last month or so, failing to win a match since leaving New York, skipping Beijing and losing to Maria Sakkari in Wuhan.
Alexandrova looks in the much better state coming into this clash and she can turn the tables on her defeat to Kostyuk at the US Open. It shouldn't be one-sided, so Over 21.5 total games appeals, with Alexandrova backed for the 23rd top 10 scalp of her career.
Kostyuk vs Alexandrova Stats & Trends
- Kostyuk has lost her last three matches
- Kostyuk has seen Over 21.5 games in all three of those defeats
- Alexandrova has seen Over 21.5 games in two of her last three matches
- Alexandrova has won three of her last five matches vs top 10 players
- Alexandrova has won 10 of her last 16 matches on hardcourt
- Alexandrova has seen Over 21.5 games in three of her last four matches vs top 10 players
Kostyuk vs Alexandrova Head To Head
Alexandrova leads 2-1, but Kostyuk was a routine straight sets winner at the US Open last month.
| Year | Tournament | Round | Surface | Winner | Loser | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | US Open | Round of 32 | Hard | Marta Kostyuk | Ekaterina Alexandrova | 6–3, 6–2 |
| 2022 | Portorož | Round of 32 | Hard | Ekaterina Alexandrova | Marta Kostyuk | 7–6(7–5), 5–7, 7–5 |
| 2021 | Rome | Round of 64 | Clay | Ekaterina Alexandrova | Marta Kostyuk | 6–3, 6–1 |
Marta Kostyuk Form Analysis
- 2026 WTA Record: 36-11
- WTA Ningbo Record: 0-0
- Current Ranking: No. 10
- Career-High Ranking: No. 10 (Sep 2026)
It's been a career-best season for Kostyuk - she's broken into the top 10 for the first time, along with making back-to-back major semi-finals at Roland Garros and Wimbledon.
Kostyuk is still in contention to qualify for the year-end WTA Finals, but she needs huge weeks in Ningbo and Tokyo next week - I'm talking at least a final and title as she looks to chase down Karolina Muchova for the last spot in the top-eight field.
The 24-year-old has been remarkably consistent all year and she was 25-1 against players outside the top 20 until after the US Open.
Kostyuk has since lost back-to-back matches to Liudmila Samsonova in Guadalajara and Maria Sakkari in Wuhan, along with pulling out of Beijing. She will be hoping to recapture her best tennis in Ningbo for one last-ditch effort to qualify for the WTA Finals.
Ekaterina Alexandrova Form Analysis
- 2026 WTA Record: 21-24
- WTA Ningbo Record: 4-1
- Current Ranking: No. 33
- Career-High Ranking: No. 10 (Oct 2025)
Alexandrova broke into the top 10 for the first time last year, but a horror start to this season has seen her ranking drop out of the top 30.
The Russian only won back-to-back matches once until the grass swing, but after making the quarter-finals in Bad Homburg and third round at Wimbledon, she's won 10 of her last 16 matches on hardcourt.
Aryna Sabalenka, Mirra Andreeva, Linda Noskova and Diana Shnaider have been among Alexandrova's scalps during the second half of the year.
Alexandrova made the quarter-finals of the WTA 1000 China Open in Beijing, but couldn't back it up, going down in her Wuhan opener to Leylah Fernandez.
The 31-year-old created a whopping 16 break points and converted five of them to ease past Chinese wildcard Hanyu Guo 6-2 6-3 in her Ningbo opener. Alexandrova was one set away from the Ningbo title last year, falling in three to Elena Rybakina in the final.
Kostyuk vs Alexandrova Live Stream
Watch and bet on Marta Kostyuk vs Ekaterina Alexandrova 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
Over 21.5 games is the best bet for this clash, with Alexandrova looking good for the upset.
Over 21.5
Total Games
$1.83 - 2 Units
Newest Australian Bookie
Referral Code: bets500
The BetRaven referral code is bets500. 18+. T&Cs apply.
Alexandrova Win
H2H
$2.30 - 1 Unit
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.
Top Betting Sites
Betting offers
Upcoming Events
21 October 2026
- Geelong- October 21 -
- Horse Racing
- Strathalbyn - October 21 -
- Horse Racing
- Warwick Farm- October 21 -
- Horse Racing
- Eagle Farm - October 21 -
- Horse Racing
- Belmont - October 21 -
- Horse Racing
- Tasmania JackJumpers vs Brisbane Bullets -
- Basketball
- Marta Kostyuk vs Ekaterina Alexandrova -
- Tennis
- Como vs Man United -
- Soccer
- Lorenzo Musetti vs Moise Kouame -
- Tennis
22 October 2026
- Illawarra Hawks vs Sydney Kings -
- Basketball
24 October 2026
- Cox Plate -
- Horse Racing
- Spring Champion Stakes -
- Horse Racing
- Supercars Gold Coast 500 -
- Motor Sport
Load More
