WTA Tokyo: Preview & Predictions

WTA Tokyo: Will the sun rise for Ivanovic in Japan?

The 2015 Toray Pan Pacific Open gets underway this week in Tokyo, Japan. The first Premier level event of the Asian swing boasts 4 top 10 players, all equally determined to boost their points tally here in their bid to qualify for the WTA Finals in Singapore.

Here’s a preview of the draw and my predictions as to who will reach the semi finals.

(Seed)

Top Half: (5) Angelique Kerber vs Samantha Stosur

(1) Caroline Wozniacki will hope that the Asian swing bears more fruit than the US Open series, which was uncharacteristically disappointing for the Dane. Champion here in 2010, Wozniacki is currently ranked 14th on the Road to Singapore and could have a tough start against the US Open quarter finalist, Kristina Mladenovic. If she overcomes that obstacle, 2013 finalist (5) Angelique Kerber will probably face her in the quarters. Kerber currently occupies 7th place on the Road to Singapore and stands a good chance of gaining some more points here, given her head to head against Wozniacki.

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(3) Garbine Muguruza has only won 1 of 4 matches since Wimbledon and finds herself struggling in 10th place on the Road to Singapore. Though she might well win her opener, I struggle to see her bettering either (8) Belinda Bencic or Samantha Stosur in the quarters. A second round match between these two seems likely and whoever wins it will probably go on to at least reach the semis.

Bottom Half: (7) Agnieszka Radwanska vs Dominika Cibulkova

(4) Karolina Pliskova might be in 9th place on the Road to Singapore but has experienced a dip in form since becoming a top 10 player in August. Theoretically, she should win her opener but (7) Agnieszka Radwanska is the more likely to reach the semis. Despite a tough draw where she could face Elina Svitolina in the 2nd round, the champion here in 2011 is 11th on the Road to Singapore and will be extra motivated.

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(2) Ana Ivanovic languishes down at 22nd on the Road to Singapore after a dismal year. Other than reaching the French Open semis, Ivanovic has barely performed all season and as the defending champion here, stands to lose even more points. The bad news for her is that she could face Caroline Garcia in the 2nd round, who has already beaten her 3 times this year. (6) Carla Suarez Navarro is on an 8 match losing streak and will probably go out to a qualifier in the 1st round, meaning that Dominika Cibulkova has a real chance of continuing her recent return to form after injury.

Next: WTA Tour: Who will make the WTA Finals?

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