The remainder of the second round matches will be completed on Thursday at the WTA 500 level Toray Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo, Japan. Day 4 will be headlined by a blockbuster matchup between Naomi Osaka and fifth-seeded Beatriz Haddad Maia. Karolina Pliskova will be another former champion in action on Thursday, the Czech faces a potentially difficult task against the tricky Petra Martic. Pliskova has struggled against Martic in the past and trails in the head-to-head series. Let’s look at those matchups and a couple of others; who will advance to the quarterfinals?
WTA Tokyo Day 4 Predictions
Veronika Kudermetova vs Fernanda Contreras Gomez
H2H: First meeting.
Fernanda Contreras Gomez is already having one of the best results of her career having come through the qualifying draw and taking out Sofia Kenin in the first round of the main draw. Veronika Kudermetova should put that run to an end. There’s no reason to suggest Kudermetova will have any problems in this matchup, it would be a strange turn in results if her career best season would include a loss to an opponent of this level.
Prediction: Kudermetova in 2
Liudmila Samsonova vs Xinyu Wang
H2H: First meeting
Ludmilla Samsonova made a strong start in Tokyo, where she didn’t drop serve in a straight set win over Elena Rybakina. The quick courts in Tokyo are perfect conditions for Samsonova to execute her aggressive style. Expect Samsonova to have too much game for Wang. I suspect Wang’s style of play will be pleasant for Samsonova to deal with in these conditions.
Prediction: Samsonova in 2
Karolina Pliskova vs Petra Martic
H2H: Petra Martic 4-3.
Karolina Pliskova doesn’t particularly like playing against Petra Martic. It’s understandable to see why. When Martic plays well, her versatile game can frustrate Pliskova into errors. Pliskova is certainly the more consistent of the pair these days, her base level is higher. The result will depend on which Martic shows up. I’ll give the edge to Pliskova who is a former champion in Tokyo and better suited to the quicker conditions.
Prediction: Pliskova in 3
Naomi Osaka vs Beatriz Haddad Maia
H2H: Osaka 1-0.
Naomi Osaka is likely playing her last tournament of the season and will be eager to impress her adoring fans in Japan. The quick hard courts in Tokyo are perfect conditions for Osaka and I believe she will have the edge over Beatriz Haddad Maia. The Brazilian has had much better results of late, but that doesn’t hide the fact that Osaka is the much better player in these conditions. Osaka seems motivated this week and is likely to have too much game for Haddad Maia.
Prediction: Osaka in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
