The Asian swing is back in a larger capacity this year and on the WTA Tour it starts with the 2023 Kinoshita Group Japan Open Tennis Championships in Osaka. This event hasn’t been held since 2019. There are six singles main draw matches on Monday’s schedule. We also look at the rest of the day’s matches in a separate article. Who do you think will make the second round?
WTA Osaka Day 1 Predictions
Kateryna Baindl vs Ashlyn Krueger
Head-to-head: First meeting
Ashlyn Krueger has been showing signs of improvement this year and her three-match losing streak was moreso on the quality of the opposition rather than her being completely out of form. Kateryna Baindl made that one final at the WTA 250 in Budapest, but has been really unimpressive outside of that. It seems like Krueger actually has a stronger chance of performing her best than her more seasoned opponent.
Predictions: Krueger in 3
Mai Hontama vs Su-Jeong Jang
Head-to-head: Jang 2-0
Su-Jeong Jang beat Mai Hontama in both their professional matches and also in a bit of a less official affair at the Asian wild card for the Australian Open play-off. She’s clearly found this matchup fairly comfortable before and there hasn’t been much to suggest that this time should be any different. Hontama also retired in her last match at an ITF in Tokyo last week, where Jang also lost in the opening round (but finished her performance in good health).
Predictions: Jang in 2
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Diana Shnaider vs Yulia Putintseva
Head-to-head: First meeting
Diana Shnaider is such an exciting youngster and now that she stopped her college journey at North Carolina State after just one season, she has a chance to focus fully on her pro results. Maybe Osaka can provide her with an opportunity as while the last few months weren’t great for her, we know she’ll be out there ready to grab a breakthrough run if she can. Yulia Putintseva is such a feisty, smart competitor and might be the favorite here, despite her season being very by-the-numbers.
Predictions: Putinsteva in 3
Main Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
