The WTA event this week in Tokyo has produced a lot of exciting action and we’re now into the business end with only four players left to fight for the trophy. One of the semifinals will feature a Top 10 matchup between Sakkari and Pegula, while the other will feature a matchup between two players in great shape who really surprised everyone this week with their runs to the semifinal, especially Veronika Kudermetova, who shocking beat Iga Swiatek to get here.
WTA Tokyo Semifinal Predictions
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova vs Veronika Kudermetova
Head-to-head: Pavlyuchenkova 2-2 Kudermetova
Pavlyuchenkova has been struggling a lot with injuries in recent years and this is actually her first tour level semifinal appearance since she made the Roland Garros final in 2021. She has been playing well this week and showing that if she stays fit she has what it takes to get back to her previous heights (or even better). Kudermetova, however, pulled off the biggest upset of the week; after taking only ten games total in her last eight sets against Iga Swiatek, Kudermetova beat the world #2 this time around and will surely be very high on confidence going into this weekend, looking to improve on her semifinal showing from last year here in Tokyo. It should be a very tight contest between two players who are confident and playing well.
Prediction: Kudermetova in 3
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Maria Sakkari vs Jessica Pegula
Head-to-head: Sakkari 5-3 Pegula
Both players had very disappointing US Open campaigns, but seem to be bouncing back nicely, especially Sakkari, who won the title in Guadalajara. This is sure to be a very high quality and tightly contested match, worthy of a top 10 showdown. In their most recent head-to-head, Sakkari won a very tight three setter and this one should go down to the wire as well, with perhaps Pegula having a slight edge this time around.
Prediction: Pegula in 3
Main Photo Credit: David Kirouac-USA TODAY Sports
