It’s a stacked quarterfinal lineup at the 2023 WTA Toray Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo with six of the top eight seeds making it this far. Iga Swiatek takes on Veronika Kudermetova, while Maria Sakkari battles Caroline Garcia in a Guadalajara semifinal rematch. Who do you think will make the final four?
WTA Tokyo Quarterfinal Predictions
Ekaterina Alexandrova vs Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova
Head-to-head: Alexandrova 1-0
It’s been an impressive return to the tour for Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and the 2017 finalist of the event is playing at a very high standard again. This should be a nice big-hitting battle with her compatriot, Ekaterina Alexandrova. Pavlyuchenkova usually does slightly better in such matchups and her game is also more repeatable than Alexandrova’s, who relies more on her timing and takes the ball earlier.
Predictions: Pavlyuchenkova in 3
Daria Kasatkina vs Jessica Pegula
Head-to-head: Pegula 1-0
It’s a bit surprising these two have only played once so far with the consistency they’ve shown at the top of the sport. This is the first time Jessica Pegula plays in Tokyo, but the conditions in the Asian Swing should be to her liking. It’s an interesting matchup that goes way beyond the usual aggressor/defender understanding. The American’s flat forehand should be crucial though and she’s not the kind of player Kasatkina can usually force to start pressing.
Predictions: Pegula in 3
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Caroline Garcia vs Maria Sakkari
Head-to-head: Garcia 3-2
Caroline Garcia led this head-to-head 3-2 before this year, but now Maria Sakkari is back in it. One of her wins came last week in Guadalajara, when she easily dismantled the Frenchwoman on the way to the title. Her confidence should be at an all-time high right now and even if Garcia has also found her rhythm, the expected result here is definitely Sakkari getting her again. Expect a closer match though.
Predictions: Sakkari in 2
Iga Swiatek vs Veronika Kudermetova
Head-to-head: Swiatek 4-0
Iga Swiatek has destroyed Veronika Kudermetova the last three times they met and even their closest encounter was a 6-3 6-3 win for the Pole. Her first match here against Mai Hontama was extremely sloppy though. If she still can’t find her serve/return game, this should be Kudermetova’s best chance yet in this matchup. Anyhow, he struggled so much with Swiatek’s weight of shot in the past that it’s impossible to trust her in this one.
Predictions: Swiatek in 2
Main Photo Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports
