The remaining ten singles round one matches will all be played on Tuesday, Day 2 at the WTA Japan’s Women’s Open in Osaka. Veronika Kudermetova usually excels in this part of the season, but is going into her match with Ana Bogdan on a 1-3 deficit in the head-to-head. Can the Russian turn it around? We predict all of the day’s matches, split between this and two other articles–featuring Bianca Andreescu vs Greet Minnen and Elise Mertens vs Mai Hontama. Who do you think will win?
WTA Osaka Day 2 Predictions
Eva Lys vs Camila Osorio
Head-to-head: First meeting
Eva Lys has been pretty close to breaking the Top 100 for a while now, but is still looking for that one event that will change her career. It would be pretty magical if it happened in Osaka as the German made it into the main draw as a lucky loser. She has the skillset to take advantage of the conditions here better than Camila Osorio can. However, the Colombian clay specialist played very well in Beijing and Wuhan and is adapting well enough to be considered a small favorite here.
Predictions: Osorio in 3
Diane Parry vs Erika Andreeva
Head-to-head: Andreeva 3-0
Are we witnessing the explosion of the older Andreeva sister? Erika beat her sister Mirra in Wuhan last week and holds a dominant head-to-head lead over Diane Parry. While it’s the former junior No. 1 from France who has done so much more on tour thus far, she hasn’t taken a set off Andreeva in three meetings (including two this year). It seems like the Russian plays her solid game here and just expects a very high standard of shot selection from Parry, one that she is so far unable to consistently bring in.
Predictions: Andreeva in 2
Ashlyn Krueger vs Elina Avanesyan
Head-to-head: First meeting
Ashlyn Krueger returns to Osaka as the defending champion and remains one of the players who seem like they could break through at any moment. But this is a fascinating matchup as she’s facing Elina Avanesyan, one of the most irritating players to face who never grants you the same ball off the ground. Krueger’s easy power is a little vulnerable against styles like that and kicking off her title defense won’t be easy for the American here. But it’s tough not to like her chances given how well she played here in 2023.
Predictions: Krueger in 3
Ana Bogdan vs Veronika Kudermetova
Head-to-head: Bogdan 3-1
This season has been nothing like the two previous campaigns for Veronika Kudermetova, but maybe she can at least finish it well. Conditions in the Asian Swing tend to suit her and she’s just been running into very dangerous opponents like Beatriz Haddad Maia (twice) or Jessica Pegula. But Ana Bogdan isn’t a pushover either and has frustrated Kudermetova before with how well she responds to pace. The Russian will need to play a pretty solid, composed match.
Predictions: Kudermetova in 3
Main Photo Credit: Jonathan Hui-USA TODAY Sports
