Some of the first-round matches at the WTA Korea Open in Seoul are pretty brutal, and Amanda Anisimova facing No. 6 seed Yulia Putintseva is no exception. 2018 runner-up Ajla Tomljanovic is also in the mix on Tuesday and so is the mercurial Sloane Stephens. We also predict half of Tuesday’s matches in a separate article–featuring Emma Raducanu vs Peyton Stearns. Who do you think will advance to the next stage of the event?
WTA Seoul Day 2 Predictions
Sloane Stephens vs Hailey Baptiste
Head-to-head: First meeting
Sloane Stephens is entering this event on a 5-match losing streak with no wins on hard courts after Wimbledon. Only one match was really close as well with her blowing a huge lead against Clara Burel. As usual, with Stephens it’s tough to predict how engaged she’ll be. But it does feel like this is a slightly better draw than what she faced in their recent appearances, even than eventual runner-up Olivia Gadecki in Guadalajara. Hailey Baptiste will be there to capitalize if Stephens is off her game though.
Prediction: Stephens in 3
Ajla Tomljanovic vs Su-jeong Jang
Head-to-head: First meeting
Slowly but surely Ajla Tomljanovic is making her way back toward the Top 100 after missing almost the entire 2023 season. She made the final at this event six years ago with a crazy run that included five consecutive three-setters. Will Su-jeong Jang provide a challenge? She definitely knows this event way better than anyone else, playing it virtually every year since 2009. The Korean might be a bit outmatched here if Tomljanovic hits her peak game though.
Prediction: Tomljanovic in 2
Yulia Putintseva vs Amanda Anisimova
Head-to-head: 1-1
This should be fascinating. Yulia Putintseva has had some very proud moments this year and is back around her career-high ranking. But we all know how good Amanda Anisimova can be if she ever stays healthy over an extended period. At the US Open she was in control against Qinwen Zheng, but eventually went down in physically in three sets. It’s all about finding match rhythm for her and the gritty Putintseva is a tough opponent to face when you’re still looking for your game.
Prediction: Putintseva in 3
Main Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
