The quarterfinals are set at the WTA Japan Open in Osaka, Japan. With the top seeds already eliminated, it presents a wonderful opportunity for the remaining players to make a mark and win a WTA title. As always, we here at LWOT will offer our predictions for all four quarterfinals on day five. But who will advance to the semifinals?
WTA Osaka Quarterfinal Predictions
Kimberly Birrell vs Sara Saito
Head-to-head: first meeting
Kimberly Birrell has been in good form for the past couple of months. There are no standout results but getting through many qualifying draws builds confidence and it has shown this week. She has a good chance to reach her first tour-level semifinals. Sara Saito played another impressive match to reach her first tour-level quarterfinals. The 18-year-old wild card is a clean hitter of the ball but she is very inexperienced at this level which might hurt her chances against Birrell.
Prediction: Birrell in 3
Ana Bogdan vs Suzan Lamens
Head-to-head: first meeting
Ana Bogdan has looked in terrific form this week and is yet to drop a set. These are much-needed wins and points for Bogdan and she will head into the quarterfinals as the favourite on paper. Suzan Lamens has had a similar run and is yet to drop a set either. Both these players came through qualifying and have looked strong enough to win the whole event. However, only one can progress further and I am edging towards the Romanian player.
Prediction: Bogdan in 3
Embed from Getty Images
Eva Lys vs Aoi Ito
Head-to-head: first meeting
Lucky loser Eva Lys hasn’t looked back since her loss in the second round of qualifying. She played a tough match against McCartney Kessler but winning those matches should give her a lot of confidence. Lys will look to reach back-to-back semifinals and will face the local player, Aoi Ito, who took out Elisabetta Cocciaretto in the second round. Ito’s shots are unpredictable and has a diverse playing style making her an interesting player to watch. This has been a nice breakthrough event for the Japanese but Lys is the more solid player currently and should edge this out slightly.
Prediction: Lys in 3
Diane Parry vs Clara Tauson
Head-to-head: first meeting
Diane Parry played a much more solid match to beat Greet Minnen in straight sets. This has been the best season of Parry’s career and she can make it more memorable with a title. The Frenchwoman is the only seed remaining and will face Clara Tauson in the quarterfinals. Tauson has made a great debut at the Japan Women’s Open and is yet to lose more than three games in a set. She has been brilliant behind her first serve and it will be tough for Parry to break her. This is a very close match and can go either way but I will lean towards Tauson.
Prediction: Tauson in 3
Main photo credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
