Bencic Headlines Ningbo Open First Round Matchups

Belinda Bencic, the fifth seed, faces Jelena Ostapenko in one of the featured first-round matches on the second day of the WTA Ningbo Open in Ningbo, China. The schedule also includes Alycia Parks against Sara Bejlek and a rematch between Daria Snigur and Katarzyna Kawa, with players seeking to advance to the next round. Previews published by Last Word on Sports on Oct. 19, 2026, highlighted the three matchups and assessed the players' recent performances and previous meetings.

The analysis identified different challenges for each contest, including Snigur's fitness concerns and Bejlek's record against Parks. Snigur and Kawa are set to meet again after their second-round qualifying encounter ended with Snigur retiring in the second set because of health issues, according to Last Word on Sports. Her physical condition remains a potential factor in the rematch.

Snigur leads their head-to-head series 2-1, but Kawa enters the match after showing strong form during the tournament week. Last Word on Sports predicted that Kawa would win in three sets.

Parks faces Bejlek in another first-round contest, with the Czech player holding a 3-0 advantage in their previous meetings. According to Last Word on Sports, the 20-year-old Bejlek has produced promising performances during a breakthrough season, including against highly ranked opponents. Bejlek's recent results have been inconsistent, but the Ningbo tournament gives her another opportunity to add a victory. Her previous success against Parks provides context for the matchup, although her latest performances have not been uniformly strong.

Parks entered the main draw as a lucky loser, securing a place in the tournament through that route. Last Word on Sports reported that the American had won only one of her previous five matches before the contest. Parks has also struggled in her meetings with Bejlek, winning just one set across their three previous encounters. Based on their head-to-head record and recent results, Last Word on Sports identified Bejlek as the clear favorite for the first-round match.

Bencic's meeting with Ostapenko is another prominent fixture on the day's schedule. The fifth seed will face the Latvian as both players compete for a place in the next round of the WTA Ningbo Open in China.