For the first time since 2018, the WTA Tokyo Open returns to a newly-renovated court. Six matches are on schedule on day one and, as always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the schedule including Claire Liu vs Alison Riske-Amritraj. But who will advance?
WTA Tokyo Day 1 Predictions
Elise Mertens vs Qiang Wang
Head-to-head: Mertens 3-3 Wang
Elise Mertens’ reputation as one of the fittest players on the women’s tour has been questioned multiple times this season. Her stamina and endurance made her a formidable challenger in the last few years. But that is not the case in 2022. The Belgian has suffered 19 defeats and her campaign has been blighted by a persistent leg injury. Wang, for her part, is looking to end the season with a flourish and there is no better way to do so than in her home continent. Mertens’ game is founded on fitness, and right now she might not be operating at her maximum levels.
Prediction: Wang in 3
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Qinwen Zheng vs Misaki Doi
Head-to-head: first meeting
Not many players are trending this year quite like Zheng on the women’s tour. The 19-year-old sits at a career-high world #37 ahead of her Tokyo debut and was the only player to take a set from Iga Swiatek at this year’s French Open. Zheng has continued to build on her solid resume on hard courts, reaching a respectable third round at the US Open. Doi, by contrast, is a seasoned veteran on tour but she is no longer at the peak of her powers. The Japanese World #101 is playing on home turf but does not hold any happy memories from this tournament. Zheng’s quality should shine.
Prediction: Zheng in 2
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Petra Martic vs Rina Saigo
Head-to-head: first meeting
Petra Martic will be looking to improve on her overall record on hard courts this year which stands at 9-9. Martic has played some inspired tennis intermittently during the season, most notably at Indian Wells (quarterfinalist) and at the US Open. Japan’s Rina Saigo will be relishing the opportunity of making her main draw debut, but she is vastly inexperienced at this level. This should be a harmless opener for the experienced Croat.
Prediction: Martic in 2
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