Day 3 at the 2022 WTA Seoul Open–back to a 250-level event this year after a two-year break–is shaping up to have lots of good tennis. As always, we here at LWOT share our thoughts on every match. Who do you think will win?
WTA Seoul Day 3 Predictions
Linda Fruhvirtova vs Yanina Wickmayer
Head-to-head: first meeting
Fruhvirtova becomes the only under-18 player in the Top 100, breaking in after winning her first WTA title in Chennai. The young Czech was strong throughout the week, beating tour veteran Magda Linette in the final. Wickmayer has had some nice runs in her comeback season after a year away from tour, making the second round of Wimbledon out of qualifying. The Belgian veteran has plenty of experience but Fruhvirtova should be beating her without too many problems on current form.
Prediction: Fruhvirtova in 2
Rebecca Marino vs Victoria Jimenez Kasintseva
Head-to-head: first meeting
Marino has managed to win back-to-back matches in her last three tournaments, reaching quarterfinals at Granby and Chennai as well as the third round at the US Open. The Canadian started well again in Seoul, dropping just three games to Jana Fett. Jimenez Kasintseva has taken advantage of her position as a lucky loser here, dropping just four games to Chloe Paquet. The Andorran is an interesting prospect and we are likely watching an ascent that will end in the Top 20 but Marino’s current form might overcome the teenager here.
Prediction: Marino in 3
Varvara Gracheva vs Anna Blinkova
Head-to-head: Gracheva 2-0 Blinkova
A third match-up of this Russian derby with both previous ones played at slams. Gracheva has won both in three sets but being pushed all the way to a third-set tiebreak by Blinkova at last year’s Australian Open. The 22-year-old broke a massive ten-match losing streak in Chennai last week, defeating Mariia Tkacheva and Carol Zhao en route to a quarterfinal. Blinkova lost to Rebecca Marino last week, continuing to struggle to get going on hard courts this season. With their previous meetings and Blinkova’s mediocre form, I believe Gracheva will win here as well.
Prediction: Gracheva in 2
Emma Raducanu vs Moyuka Uchijima
Head-to-head: first meeting
After failing to defend her US Open title and now dropping out of the Top 70, this is where Raducanu shows if she can be a top player. We had two players suffer similar ranking drops in January, with Naomi Osaka and Sofia Kenin taking sharp declines and struggling to get back. The 19-year-old lost in the second round in Portoroz, beating Dayana Yastremska and losing to Anna-Lena Friedsam. Uchijima is not a big name but she has been a player on the rise in the last 18 months. The 21-year-old has a 74-28 record since August 2021, winning six ITF titles, three in each year, and has risen to No. 126 in the rankings. The Japanese player seems ripe to put herself on the map with a big win and I believe she will do that here.
Prediction: Uchijima in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
