The Asian Swing, one of the last legs of the tennis season, begins on Monday at the WTA Korea Open. As a WTA 500 event for the first time in its 20th edition, six of the top 30 players will be featured at this event. LWOT has the previews and predictions for the entire tournament, with this set of matches featuring 2022 Korea Open champion Ekaterina Alexandrova, as well as a second set of predictions for the rest of the matches.
WTA Seoul Day 1 Predictions
Yue Yuan vs Elena-Gabriela Ruse
Head-to-head: First meeting
While Yuan is the defending finalist in this tournament, this is a tricky opener for the Chinese No. 2 player. Ruse has matches under her belt already as a qualifier and just reached the third round of the US Open after stunning Wimbledon champion Barbora Krecjikova. Now, on the cusp of re-entering the Top 100, Ruse will likely avoid qualifying draws in WTA 250 and 500 tournaments in the future. Ruse tends to hit big from the back of the court, and Yuan also likes to play offensive tennis. There may be pressure on Yuan because she has to defend many ranking points, and Ruse may capitalize on that by winning this in a close one.
Prediction: Ruse in 3
Heather Watson vs Jia Jing Lu
Head-to-head: First meeting
This match will mark Watson’s seventh WTA tour-level main draw match of the 2024 season, while Lu returns to such a stage for the first time since 2019. Both players qualified for the main draw without dropping a set, with Lu winning the pair’s only meeting in late 2018. While Lu may have extra confidence after beating Watson six years ago, the Brit tends to have more weapons and will be able to ease her way into the match.
Prediction: Watson in 2
Ekaterina Alexandrova vs Varvara Lepchenko
Head-to-head: First meeting
Lepchenko, at 38, put together an unprecedented run at the 2024 US Open, reaching the second round. She tends to play counterpunching tennis and has a tricky lefty game that could break down offensive players. As a result, the American’s play could very well impact Alexandrova, who can hit powerful shots from the baseline. It hasn’t been a great season for Alexandrova, but she has experience playing well in Seoul as the 2022 champion and should win this match if she can play consistent tennis.
Prediction: Alexandrova in 2
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
