In an all-Japanese final at the Japan Women’s Open – Hiroshima, Nao Hibino will take on Misaki Doi for the WTA International crown. But who will come out on top at this event early in the Autumn Asian swing?
Japan Women’s Open – Hiroshima Final Prediction
Nao Hibino vs Misaki Doi
Head-to-head: Hibino 2-2 Doi
This final promises to be a close contest. Both women arrive at the title-match in good form after an impressive week at the Japan Women’s Open – Hiroshima. Hibino opened her campaign with a battling 6-7 7-6 7-5 win over Canadian teenager Leylah Annie Fernandez, before advancing courtesy of sixth seed Zarina Diyas of Kazakhstan’s retirement trailing 1-6 2-3. Hibino then bested top seed and defending champion Hsieh Su-wei 6-4 6-3 and then rallied past Mihaela Buzarnescu 4-6 6-0 6-3 to reach the final.
Doi, meanwhile, began her Japan Women’s Open – Hiroshima with a 4-6 7-5 6-2 win over her compatriot Junri Namagata in the first round. She backed that victory up by beating Zoe Hives of Australia in three sets, 6-1 1-6 6-3 and Spain’s seventh seed Sara Sorribes Tormo 7-5 6-1. Doi then booked her place in the final by ousting Veronika Kudermetova of Russia, the second seed in Hiroshima, 6-4 6-3, in what was surely her most impressive performance of the week.
In their previous four meetings, there has been little to separate Doi and Hibino, with both having claimed two wins. But Doi, who is four years Hibino’s senior, is unquestionably the more experienced of the two. That could give her a crucial edge in the decisive moments in this final. She has also played the better tennis so far this week. So whilst this match seems certain to be close, it should be Doi who has the better of the contest. Expect her to claim the title as a result.
Prediction: Doi in 3
Main photo:
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