The WTA tour is all set to move on to the exciting Asian Swing in Osaka, Japan, this tournament that is due to take place would carry with it hopes and dreams of fresh success for the players who want to make their mark on the international arena. Day 1 promises some action-packed action in what might be interestingly played matches between established stars and hot emerging talents. Let's look at some of the predicted opening match-ups, previewing some of those, focusing on the likely match between McCartney Kessler and Ena Shibahara.
The first match-up of the tournament will be between local hope Aoi Ito and Sofia Kenin. That is Kenin's very first meeting with Ito, but in current form, it's unsure if she could withstand the pressure. Throughout the season, the American struggled to get the win, recording just one victory in three during her Asian tour. On the other hand, Ito has looked quite promising on lower tiers. Home crowd support will surely make the most of this for Ito. This is going to be an interesting match with crowd energy as a tiebreaker. Ito in 3.
One of the interesting pairings is that of Jessika Ponchet and Elisabetta Cocciaretto. Both players are desperate to build momentum, with Ponchet looking to take full advantage of her lucky loser berth and Cocciaretto having failed to string together victories during her stay on the continent. This match will afford her a chance for redemption, and with Ponchet looking to force the issue on an unmeasured play, Cocciaretto might just have what it takes to take it to another gear. Pick: Cocciaretto in 2. Of those two aforementioned contests, these two matches are must-see ones that'll pit McCartney Kessler against Ena Shibahara.
Shibahara didn't get a wildcard into her home event, so she faced some big tests in qualifying and did come through against Linda Fruhvirtova and Marina Stakusic. She showed a lot of tenacity in those matches and will be a dangerous opponent going into this match, but she does bring some pressure to perform by playing at home. Kessler, coming off a title run in Cleveland, will try to keep that momentum going and her slightly greater experience on the main tour to prevail. The crowd will certainly be behind Shibahara in Osaka, but this will be an event full of intensity. Expect Kessler to have some added success based on recent form as well as familiarity with the competitive environment. Prediction: Kessler in 3.
It will be great to see how the players on the court adapt to the challenge of the Osaka crowd and what an enormous match will demand from them in their last few matches of the tournament. Every match will offer the chance to raise the trophy or feel the agony of defeat with great stakes for the participants. The fans will watch eagerly to see who will rise up to the occasion to become one of the top contenders for this prestigious tournament. As the match wears on, we can expect to see battles for survival as well as testimony to the tenacity and passion of the athletes—the raw beauty and unpredictability of competitive tennis.
