Just four matches are on the slate on the third day at the Hiroshima Open in Japan with rain forecast. Amongst the eight players in action are defending champion Hsieh Su-wei and rising star Zarina Diyas. But who will book their place in the quarterfinals?
Hiroshima Open Day Three Predictions
Nao Hibino vs Zarina Diyas
Head-to-head: Diyas 2-1 Hibino
Nao Hibino made an impressive start to her Hiroshima Open campaign as she rallied from a set down to edge out Canadian teenager Leylah Fernandez 6-7 7-6 7-5 in a thrilling three-set battle. But that lengthy match may leave her short of energy, particularly up against the talented sixth seed Diyas, who opened her campaign with a comprehensive 6-2 6-2 win over Montenegro’s Danka Kovinic. The crowd will surely give Hibino their fulsome backing, but that may not be enough for her to overcome the higher-ranked Diyas.
Prediction: Diyas in 2
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Christina McHale vs Veronika Kudermetova
Head-to-head: first meeting
Christina McHale has failed to win back-to-back WTA main draw matches since Indian Wells in March. The American will surely be lacking in confidence as a result, although she did impress in beating Greet Minnen of Belgium in straight sets in the first round, and she could be in for a tough outing up against Viktoria Kudermetova. The 22-year-old Russian, seeded second, has enjoyed a consistently successful year and reached a career-high ranking of world #48 this week. Considering the contrast in their recent results, despite McHale’s good start to the week, it is hard not to back the talented Kudermetova.
Prediction: Kudermetova in 2
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Laura Siegemund vs Patricia Maria Tig
Head-to-head: Siegemund 2-1 Tig
Laura Siegemund, who has spent a considerable amount of time sidelined through injury over the past few seasons, will look to continue her climb back towards the top of the game when she takes on Patricia Maria Tig. Siegemund, seeded fifth at the Hiroshima Open, began her campaign with a fine 6-4 6-1 win over Vera Savinykh. However, she could well face sterner opposition up against Tig, who impressed in coming through the qualifying before beating Ayano Shimizu of Japan 6-4 6-2 in the first round of the main draw. This one looks to have all the makings of a close contest, but Tig’s momentum should be enough to carry her over the line.
Prediction: Tig in 3
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Hsieh Su-Wei vs Priscilla Hon
Head-to-head: first meeting
The top seed at the Hiroshima Open, Hsieh was perhaps not at her very best during her 6-1 3-6 6-1 win over home hope Risa Ozaki in the first round. But after shaking off any rust in that match, Hsieh will surely be eyeing a deep run at the tournament she won last year. She may need to raise her level against Australian young gun Priscilla Hon, who bested Poland’s Katarzyna Kawa in opener. But the 21-year-old Australian seems destined to struggle to find any rhythm up against Hsieh’s unorthodox, attacking style and that bodes well for Hsieh’s chances of securing a return to the quarterfinals.
Prediction: Hsieh in 2
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