This week’s WTA 500 event in Tokyo doesn’t exactly feature the strongest field and it wasn’t helped by several withdrawals, including that of #1 seed Jasmine Paolini, which led to the draw being reshuffled. Still, even with the absence of the world’s top players, it will still surely be a very entertainment tournament and this Day 2 features some very appealing matchups.
WTA Tokyo Day 2 Predictions
Alina Charaeva vs Jaqueline Cristian
Head-to-head: Cristian 1-0 Charaeva
Cristian is just off a great week in Osaka, where she reached the semifinals and came really close to making it to the final. She is playing some excellent tennis right now and will have another opportunity for a strong run this year. On paper at least she has a great first round draw to shed the disappointment of the semifinal loss in Osaka. Charaeva played well in qualifying but Cristian should be a step too far for her at this point.
Prediction: Cristian in 2
Wakana Sonobe vs Nikola Bartunkova
Head-to-head: first meeting
Based on ranking, this is arguably the least glamorous match of the week, but it should still be quite an interesting one. Bartunkova is clearly the better and more solid player of the two, but Sonobe is playing at home and will have that extra motivation. She was unlucky to face Naomi Osaka in the first round last week, but she should have a much better chance here and at least make it competitive.
Prediction: Bartunkova in 3
Embed from Getty Images
Leylah Fernandez vs Maria Sakkari
Head-to-head: Sakkari 3-1 Fernandez
Sakkari had completely dominated the head-to-head before this year, but it was Fernandez who won in straight sets last month in Beijing, a fitting result considering how she’s having the best season of her career (2021 US Open final nonwithstanding) and Sakkari is far from her best at the moment. After winning the title last week in Osaka, Fernandez will be even more motivated to finish the season strongly and gain some momentum ahead of what she hopes will be an even better 2026.
Prediction: Fernandez in 2
Main Photo Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
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