By Ros Satar

Katie Boulter v Linda Noskova [2]
H2H: First Meeting

OSAKA, JAPAN – Katie Boulter has a tough opener on her Osaka debut taking on second seed Linda Noskova in the first round.

 

 

Katie Boulter v Linda Noskova [2] | H2H & Match Fundamentals

Katie Boulter v Linda Noskova [2]
H2H: First Meeting

WTA Osaka
Japan

Hard (O)
Prize Money: $2,975

Fourth on Centre Court, not before 4pm (8am BST)
Sky/Now TV <- Subscription Required

Katie Boulter has yet to get back-to-back wins in the Asian swing, and faces a tough start in the first round, where she faces second seed Linda Noskova.

 

Tale of the Tape – Key Stats (Hard – 2025)

H2H:
Katie Boulter (WR 61)
Linda Noskova (WR 17)

Tournament Previous Best
Debut
Debut

1st Serve Return Points Won %
32.6
31.1

Return Points Won %
41.1
41.1

Break Point Conversion %
50.0
51.4

Break Points Saved %
51.0
52.2

Overall Service Points Won %
54.2
62.4

Although there is a wide gap in their rankings, Boulter’s stats on hard courts are close to Noskova until they get to overall service points won.

 

 

Playing Styles & Prediction

The Asian swing has not been a particularly happy hunting ground for Katie Boulter thus far with just one win in three tournaments. Noskova, on the other hand, lost the Beijing final to a resurgent Amanda Anisimova before picking up a couple of wins in Wuhan, and so comes into this opener a lot more match-sharp.

It will be a case of praying for the yellow fluffies as both players play an aggressive and hard-hitting game. In terms of who will out-power who, while Boulter has worked extremely hard to improve her footwork, Noskova’s improvements in terms of her serve, and her fitness make her the favourite.

Prediction: Noskova in three sets.

 

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