Bianca Andreescu has only played 17 matches in 2024 and the WTA 250 Osaka will be her first appearance since the US Open. It remains to be seen if the Canadian can finally start playing a more regular schedule soon, but it’s not like she hasn’t had flashes of her peak level this season. Her first-round opponent here is Greet Minnen; who do you think will advance to the next stage of the event? We predict all of the day’s matches, split between this and two other articles–featuring Ana Bogdan vs Veronika Kudermetova and Elise Mertens vs Mai Hontama.
WTA Osaka Day 2 Predictions
Moyuka Uchijima vs Marie Bouzkova
Head-to-head: First meeting
The trajectory of Marie Bouzkova’s season has been somewhat unusual. She did well to make the Bogota and Washington finals, but otherwise is barely getting through the opening rounds. She was a little unlucky to draw Veronika Kudermetova in her Wuhan opener though. Moyuka Uchijima is not to be overlooked here with the Japanese so high on confidence in her breakthrough season. But it would take a lot of sustained hitting from her to take down Bouzkova, even a little out of rhythm.
Predictions: Bouzkova in 3
Kimberly Birrell vs Saisai Zheng
Head-to-head: First meeting
Saisai Zheng spent over two years away from the courts and while her doubles results since coming back have featured a few highlights, she’s still looking for her first singles win of the season. Can the former World No. 34 follow her compatriot Shuai Zhang in how she suddenly revived her game in Beijing? Maybe, and it’s not like she’s missing the quality. But the way more likely result is still Kimberly Birrell taking this with the Australian also possessing some good momentum after the qualifying campaign.
Predictions: Birrell in 2
Bianca Andreescu vs Greet Minnen
Head-to-head: Andreescu 1-0
Bianca Andreescu will make her first appearance since the US Open. While we’ve seen some incredible flashes from the Canadian this year, we’re still waiting for the moment when she’ll be back on tour week in, week out. With only seventeen matches in 2024 and none in the last month and a half, we can only guess what her level will be in Osaka. The good news for her is that Greet Minnen isn’t really in the best form of her career, so maybe Andreescu can return with a bang.
Predictions: Andreescu in 3
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
