Who will advance on Tuesday at the Hana-cupid Japan Women’s Open in Hiroshima? We look at some of the day’s best matches and give you our thoughts. On top of that, we have predictions for four more WTA Hiroshima Day 2 matches.
WTA Hiroshima Day 2 Predictions
Mihaela Buzarnescu vs Viktoriya Tomova
A few years ago, Buzarnescu was possibly the greatest story in tennis. She was battling injuries and winning, comingcracking the Top 30 after a career riddled with injuries. Eventually, though, the consistent toll caught up to her, and she is now outside the Top 100. Tomova qualified here and looks in decent form, which is unfortunately all it takes to beat Buzarnescu these days.
Prediction: Tomova in 3
Misaki Doi vs Junri Namigata
Namigata is 37 years old and has never managed to crack the Top 100. She was impressive in qualifying here, and it’s truly a testament to her dedication to the sport. Unfortunately, the crowd will support her and fellow Japanese player Misaki Doi equally, and Doi is just a better player.
Prediction: Doi in 2
Sorana Cirstea vs Sara Sorribes Tormo
These players have never faced each other on hard courts or a tour-level match before. Sorribes Tormo won their only meeting, at a smaller event, on clay in 2016. Cirstea is coming off a solid run at the US Open, and Sorribes Tormo has struggled recently. I think the Romanian should be able to pull through this.
Prediction: Cirstea in 2
Kurumi Nara vs Tatjana Maria
This pair has never met at a tour-level event before, though Maria did win a matchup in a $100K (often referred to as a “WTA Challenger”) event three years ago. That doesn’t tell us much. What is far more telling is Nara’s ranking. She has struggled a lot recently. Even with the home crowd, her form just can’t match up with Maria at the moment.
Prediction: Maria in 2
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