It is a battle between two Grand Slam finalists in the WTA Tokyo final. Olympic gold medalist Qinwen Zheng will battle 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin for the title. We at LWOT predict what promises to be an excellent match in this article, but which player do you think will reign supreme in the Japanese capital?
WTA Tokyo Final Prediction
Qinwen Zheng vs Sofia Kenin
Head-to-head: First meeting
Zheng’s appearance in the final is not surprising. The No. 1 has played great tennis throughout the Asian swing and defeated Moyuka Uchijima, Leylah Fernandez, and Diana Shnaider in her matches in Tokyo. Kenin, who had been enduring a wretched year until the tournament began, overcame Xinyu Wang, Clara Tauson, Daria Kasatkina, and Katie Boulter to reach the final.
However, there is one significant concern for Kenin. She retired from her doubles semifinal in Tokyo with an injury and was in tears after doing so. That makes it possible for her to withdraw from the final beforehand or not be at 100% during it. Hopefully, the American recovers quickly and the fans are treated to great tennis.
If fit, Kenin needs to return at least as well as the semifinal against Boulter. Zheng has been getting many free points on her serve in the medium-fast conditions at the tournament. In the rallies, Kenin possesses one of the best backhands in women’s tennis. But she is unlikely to dominate off that wing to the same degree as she did against Boulter since Zheng’s backhand is very solid. Kenin will need to win longer rallies to upset Zheng, who is happy to combine powerful serving with digging in during the rallies.
Although the former Australian Open champion has returned to form impressively, Zheng is a considerable favorite to win the title in Tokyo. Her level against Kenin might be too good regardless, but the American’s fitness concerns before the match make an upset an even less likely prospect.
Prediction: Zheng in 2
Main Photo Credit: Andrew P. Scott – USA TODAY Sports
