A mix of seeded players and in-form contenders take the court as first-round action gets underway at WTA Osaka. The quick conditions favour those who play on the front foot and look to seize control early, though composure and smart shot selection will still be vital in matches that promise to be tightly contested. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the slate, including Naomi Osaka vs Wakana Sonobe, but who will advance?
WTA Osaka Day 1 Predictions
Nao Hibino vs Olga Danilovic
Head-to-head: first meeting
Nao Hibino will be hoping home support can spark a turnaround after a tough few months marked by early exits on tour. The Japanese player’s fighting spirit is never in doubt, but her consistency has been missing since the summer. Olga Danilovic, on the other hand, has started to rediscover her rhythm, producing more controlled aggression from the baseline in recent tournaments. The Serbian’s lefty forehand and ability to dictate from the first strike could make the difference if she maintains her focus under pressure.
Prediction: Hibino in 2
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Suzan Lamens vs Emiliana Arango
Head-to-head: Arango 1–0 Lamens
Lamens has hit a bit of a slump after a strong start to the season, struggling to sustain her early momentum through the summer. She’ll be determined to close the year on a positive note, but standing in her way is Arango, who has the same motivation and recently claimed victory when they met in Beijing. The Colombian’s heavy topspin and counterpunching proved effective in that encounter, forcing Lamens into errors from the baseline. This one could go either way, but Lamens’ cleaner ball-striking might help her level the head-to-head if she starts strong.
Prediction: Arango in 3
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Linda Noskova vs Katie Boulter
Head-to-head: first meeting
Linda Noskova has been one of the standout performers on the Asian swing, reaching the Beijing final and backing it up with a strong run in Wuhan. Her confidence and timing off both wings have made her a tough opponent to contain. Katie Boulter, meanwhile, has struggled to put together consecutive wins and hasn’t quite found her footing on hard courts in recent weeks. Unless she finds an immediate response to Noskova’s heavy hitting, the Czech looks well positioned to continue her fine run of form and move safely into the next round.
Prediction: Noskova in 2
Main photo credit: Andy Abeyta/The Desert Sun / USA TODAY NETWORK
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