Quarterfinals day at the WTA Hiroshima Open features the top two seeds of the tournament. The top seed and defending champion, Su-Wei Hsieh, will be playing the home favorite, Nao Hibino. Meanwhile, the #2 seed, Veronika Kudermetova, should be in a close encounter with German veteran, Laura Siegemund.
WTA Hiroshima Open Quarterfinal Predictions
Alison van Uytvanck vs Mihaela Buzarnescu
Head-to-head: 1-1 tied
Both players are coming into this match with good form. But van Uytvanck should come into this match as the slight favorite as she has been more consistent throughout the year (a 22-19 win/loss record this year). On the other hand Buzarnescu can be a unpredictable at times so it is difficult to know how well she will play on the day. The Romanian has had a mixed season, raking a 11-26 win/loss deficit this year. But it seems as though she is gathering some good momentum this week at Hiroshima.
Prediction: van Uytvanck in 3
Misaki Doi vs Sara Sorribes Tormo
Head-to-head: First meeting
Doi seems to thrive in playing in home soil, especially with the crowd rooting for her when she plays. Even though the 28-year-old was locked in back-to-back three setters, she eventually found a way through both of them.
Sorribes Tormo is known for her clay-court prowess but has been playing well here at Hiroshima. It should be a difficult for both players, but with Doi playing so well this week, she should emerge victorious.
Prediction: Doi in 3
Laura Siegemund vs Veronika Kudermetova
Head-to-head: First meeting
The 22-year-old Russian has had a breakthrough year and is currently on her career high ranking of 48 in the world.
Even though Kudermetova has a higher ranking at the moment, it should not mean anything in this match, as Siegemund herself was a top 50 player not long ago. It should be a tight match as both players are in similar form coming into this match, but Siegemund’s experience could pull her through.
Prediction: Siegemund in 3
Su-Wei Hsieh vs Nao Hibino
Head-to-head: 1-1 tied
The defending champion, Hsieh, has not had smooth sailing in the tournament. The World No. 29 had to play back-to-back three setters to reach this stage of the competition. Hibino could be a tricky opponent to play against especially with the Japanese fans cheering for her.
It could be a close match, depending on how well Hsieh plays. But the 33-year-old should eventually break down Hibino’s game and find a way to advance to the semifinals for the second consecutive year.
Prediction: Hsieh in 2
