Lilli Tagger vs Nikola Bartunkova Preview & Prediction | 2026 Wuhan Open | First Round

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Lilli Tagger takes on Nikola Bartunkova at the Wuhan Open. 

Ranking points: WTA 1000

Start date/time: 12 October 2026 at 4:00 am

Venue: Optics Valley International Tennis Center, Wuhan, China

Surface: Outdoor hard

How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports Tennis / USA – Tennis Channel

How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / USA – Tennis Channel

Tickets: Visit this link for the latest Lilli Tagger vs Nikola Bartunkova ticket information

Lilli Tagger vs Nikola Bartunkova prediction

Lilli Tagger suffered a first-round exit at the China Open, losing to Elena-Gabriela Ruse in straight sets. The 18-year-old won her first ever tour-level title at the Prague Open back in July, and she is currently 54 in the live rankings. 

Tagger faces Nikola Bartunkova. The Czech enjoyed one of the best runs of her career in Beijing, as she progressed to the semi-finals of a WTA 1000 event for the first time. Bartunkova defeated four-time Grand Slam champion Aryna Sabalenka and Karolina Muchova along the way, before a 6-2 6-2 defeat to Roland Garros champion Mirra Andreeva in the last four. The 20-year-old is set to move inside the top 30 of the rankings for the first time in her career.

It’s difficult to look past Bartunkova after such an encouraging tournament last time out. It’s a relatively quick turnaround but she should have enough quality to control this encounter. 

Lilli Tagger vs Nikola Bartunkova tip: Nikola Bartunkova to win 2-0