2022 semifinalist Emma Raducanu returns to the WTA Korea Open in Seoul. After her opening round at the US Open, the Brit should be desperate to get more playtime and keep rebuilding her form. But things won’t be easy for her with an opening-round match against Peyton Stearns. We also predict half of Tuesday’s matches in a separate article–featuring Yulia Putintseva vs Amanda Anisimova. Who do you think will come out on top?
WTA Seoul Day 2 Predictions
Polina Kudermetova vs Priscilla Hon
Head-to-head: First meeting
Over the summer Priscilla Hon just couldn’t seem to land consecutive wins at any event she played, but that all changed at the US Open. Qualifying for the main draw was a very strong effort, even if she couldn’t do much against eventual champion Aryna Sabalenka in the opening round. Now Hon has also made it through the qualifying in Seoul and has looked very strong while doing so. Polina Kudermetova might have issues repeating her quarterfinal run from last year, she only got here as a lucky loser.
Prediction: Hon in 3
Tatjana Maria vs Viktoriya Tomova
Head-to-head: Tomova 2-0
Players who can handle the tricky style of Tatjana Maria usually tend to do well against her over the years. Viktoriya Tomova has crushed the German veteran twice this year, only giving her one game in Hobart and four in Bad Homburg. Not being a very erratic player definitely helps and Tomova isn’t going to randomly overhit. It’s impressive what the 37-year-old Maria is doing on the tour at this stage of her career, but it’s tough to trust her here after their previous two matches this season.
Prediction: Tomova in 2
Emma Raducanu vs Peyton Stearns
Head-to-head: Raducanu 1-0
Emma Raducanu recently defeated Peyton Stearns in Washington to then drop off planet Earth for a couple of weeks and lose all that momentum before the US Open. The Brit should know by now that match rhythm is the most important thing and that should be a big goal for her at the moment. Seoul is a venue she did very well at in 2022, getting one of her best WTA Tour runs outside the 2021 US Open. She’s more versatile than Stearns and a slight favorite of this clash.
Prediction: Raducanu in 3
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
