The WTA Osaka event enters the quarterfinal stage with four titanic battles on the fifth day in Japan. There will be a new champion after the defending champion was eliminated by none other than home favorite Naomi Osaka, who continues her quest for her first title on home soil against Jaqueline Cristian. As always, we offer our predictions on who will make it to the last four.
WTA Osaka Quarterfinal Predictions
Sorana Cirstea vs Viktorija Golubic
Head–to–Head: Cirstea 1 – 0 Golubic
Viktorija Golubic extended her winning streak to seven matches in a row after a stunning comeback win over Marie Bouzkova, and now faces another veteran, Sorana Cirstea, who comfortably defeated Katie Boulter in straight sets.
Cirstea can be a formidable opponent when she is in full flow as she is now, but it’s also difficult to go against Golubic in her current form. She gets her eighth win on the bounce in this one.
Prediction: Golubic in 3
Leylah Fernandez vs Rebecca Sramkova
Head–to–Head: Sramkova 1 – 0 Fernandez
Leylah Fernandez blitzed past Dalma Galfi in under an hour to advance to the quarterfinals in Japan, where she will face Rebecca Sramkova for the second time this year, hoping to avenge the loss in Monterrey earlier in the season.
The Slovakian player has been playing solid tennis recently, winning at least a set in her last four matches, including against Aryna Sabalenka in Wuhan. She’ll certainly nick one set in this, and ultimately triumph if she maintains her focus.
Prediction: Sramkova in 3
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Olga Danilovic vs Tereza Valentova
Head–to–Head: First Meeting
Tereza Valentova advanced to the quarterfinals with a remarkable victory over Elise Mertens, showcasing her exciting skills to down the Belgian third seed in straight sets.
She will face Olga Danilovic for the first time, after the Serb secured a solid 6-4 6-4 victory over Ashlyn Krueger. Although the World #49 had been struggling before this tournament, she has performed admirably so far, but Valentova is playing at an exceptionally high level and has the momentum to continue her success here.
Prediction: Valentova in 2
Naomi Osaka vs Jaqueline Cristian
Head–to–Head: First Meeting
Naomi Osaka waved off an injury concern to defeat 2024 champion Suzan Lamens and advance to the quarterfinals at the Japan Open. The top seed secured her victory in a thrilling three sets and will now face Jaqueline Cristian.
The Romanian made a comeback after enduring a bagel in the first set to eliminate eighth seed Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 0-6 6-4 6-2.
This will be their first encounter, and much will hinge on how Osaka has recuperated from the left leg issue she experienced near the end of her match against Lamens.
If the Japanese player is at her best, she has a strong chance to control the match, but if she faces mental and physical challenges, Cristian possesses a sound enough game to capitalise. All in all, let’s hop on the Japanese train.
Prediction: Osaka in 3
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images
AloJapan.com