Day 1 at the WTA event in Seoul will feature a lot of exciting yet unpredictable action, with only one Top 100 player taking the court. It’s an usually weak field, with only two Top 60 players in the draw, which will allow many players to dream about making a great run and maybe even win the title.
WTA Seoul Day 1 Predictions
Dayeon Back vs Na-Lae Han
Head-to-head: first meeting
A duel between two Korean players: Na-Lae is a veteran of the circuit, whose tour level match wins have all come at this venue; Back, on the other hand, is young and up-and-coming, having recently won her first ever career title in a W15 in Korea. It’s a match that could go either way, but the younger player should have the momentum edge going for her here.
Prediction: Back in 2
Lizette Cabrera vs Lulu Sun
Head-to-head: Sun 1-0 Cabrera
Cabrera is having a very difficult season, with an overall record of 8-18 and no consecutive wins since May before this weekend’s Seoul qualifying. Sun hasn’t been playing great either but she seems to have more upside: the one time these two faced Sun won in Lisbon en route to winning the title that week. A similar outcome here wouldn’t be surprising at all. (Well, Sun winning this match, not the title–that’d be surprising for sure).
Prediction: Sun in 3
Kimberly Birrell vs Priscilla Hon
Head-to-head: Hon 2-0 Birrell
Both of their previous meetings were very tight 3-set affairs eventually won by Hon. Another extremely tight all-Australian matchup is to be expected here and Hon does seem likely to have the slighest of edges based on form and overall quality.
Prediction: Hon in 3
Lin Zhu vs Su Jeong Jang
Head-to-head: Jang 2-1 Zhu
Zhu is the only Top 100 player in action tomorrow and actually the 4th seed in the tournament, so one of the favorites to win. Her first round draw wasn’t the easiest considering the possibilities but she should still be able to prevail here and make a bit of a run at least.
Prediction: Zhu in 2
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