2026 China Open

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Naomi Osaka vs Maria Timofeeva WTA Beijing Tips, Prediction & Live Stream - Osaka launches China Open title bid

Andrew Hendrie

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Last updated: Fri 02 Oct 2026 01:07

Andrew Hendrie 02 Oct 2026

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Naomi Osaka vs Maria Timofeeva predictions for Friday's WTA Beijing R2
Osaka has a 16-2 record vs players outside the top 50 (12 wins in straights)
Timofeeva in solid form, but inexperienced at WTA 1000 level
The match is scheduled to start around 7.00pm AEST on Friday October 2

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Naomi Osaka vs Maria Timofeeva WTA Beijing Tips, Prediction & Live Stream

Naomi Osaka has won her last 12 matches against players outside the top 50 and the former China Open champion is backed to extend that record against World No. 68 Maria Timofeeva in the second round in Beijing on Friday.

Naomi Osaka vs Maria Timofeeva WTA Beijing Tips, Prediction & Live Stream
Osaka vs Timofeeva Stats & Trends
Osaka vs Timofeeva Head To Head
Naomi Osaka Form Analysis
Maria Timofeeva Form Analysis
Osaka vs Timofeeva Live Stream

Osaka has put together a solid run of form since the start of the grass swing, registering a 16-5 record and coming off a R16 showing at the US Open, where she went down to eventual champion Elena Rybakina.

Having been entrenched inside the top 20 for the better part of the last 12 months, Osaka will be hoping to take that next step and push towards the top 10 - and a strong Asian swing would see her do just that.

Meanwhile, Timofeeva is enjoying a nice season, breaking into the top 100 for the first time and she arrives in Beijing following a WTA 125 title in Porto last week - along with winning her opening round at the China Open in straight sets.

Osaka will need to be at the top of her game against a battle-hardened opponent, but she has a stellar record against 50+ ranked players this season and she's won at least two matches in 10 of her last 11 tournaments.

The four-time major champion is starting tournaments well and Osaka is backed for a straight sets win here.

Osaka vs Timofeeva Stats & Trends

Osaka has won 16 of her last 21 matches
Osaka has won 2+ matches in 10 of her last 11 tournaments this year
Osaka has a 16-2 record vs 50+ ranked players this season, with 12 coming in straight sets
Osaka has a 8-1 record in her last nine R64 matches
Timofeeva has lost her last three R64 matches

Osaka vs Timofeeva Head To Head

This will be the first meeting between the pair.

Naomi Osaka Form Analysis

2026 WTA Record: 28-11
WTA Beijing Record: 13-5
Current Ranking: No. 17
Career-High Ranking: No. 1 (2019)

It's been a fairly consistent season from Osaka - she's won 28 of her 39 matches and reached at least the quarter-finals in four of her last five tournaments.

After reaching the Wimbledon quarter-finals, Osaka went 8-3 across the North American hardcourt summer, making the semi-finals in Washington, quarter-finals in Toronto and R16 at the US Open, losing to the eventual champion or finalist in all three.

That shows how close Osaka is to breaking through for a title and she'll be hoping to give herself a shot in Beijing this tournament.

Osaka won the China Open in 2019, but was knocked out in her opening match last year by qualifier Aliaksandra Sasnovich.

Maria Timofeeva Form Analysis

2026 WTA Record: 5-8
WTA Beijing Record: 1-0
Current Ranking: No. 68
Career-High Ranking: No. 68 (Sep 2026)

It's been a career-best season for Timofeeva and she comes into this clash ranked at her best ranking of No. 68 after starting the year outside the top 130.

Although the bulk of her wins have come away from the main tour, Timofeeva has now given herself a chance of hanging amongst the game's elite to see where she truly stands.

The 22-year-old from Uzbekistan has been in stellar form over the last month or so, winning 10 of her last 11 matches at all levels.

That includes winning the WTA 125 title in Porto last week and an opening round win in Beijing, where Timofeeva registered a 6-3 6-3 victory over Darja Vidmanova.

Osaka vs Timofeeva Live Stream

Watch and bet on Naomi Osaka vs Maria Timofeeva live tennis from Beijing.

You can watch and bet on the match live at Unibet > Tennis > WTA Beijing 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

Naomi Osaka v Maria Timofeeva

Osaka has been in good form for the last few months & has a stellar record vs players outside the top 50 - she's backed for a straight sets win to begin her China Open campaign.

Osaka 2-0

Set Betting

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