Second-round action at the WTA 250 in Osaka features an interesting meeting between Ann Li and Zeynep Sonmez, who clash for the third time this season. Who will reach the quarterfinals?
WTA Osaka Day 4 Predictions
Antonia Ruzic vs Kayla Day
Head-to-head: first meeting
It’s nice to see Antonia Ruzic getting her season back on track after beating Paula Badosa in three sets. She’s now won five of her last eight matches. This is a good return considering that she was on a four-match losing streak. Kayla Day entered this tournament as a lucky loser and shocked Sofia Kenin in the first round. That said, Ruzic has the attacking depth to hit through the American and get another result here.
Prediction: Ruzic in 3
Magda Linette vs Katerina Siniakova
Head-to-head: Linette 2-2 Siniakova
Katerina Siniakova eased past Magda Linette in each of their last two matches on Asian soil, including a first-round match at this year’s China Open. Linette has finally snapped that long losing streak with a comfortable 6-4 6-3 victory over Claire Liu. It is certainly a confidence booster, but it is unlikely to give her the upper hand over the talented and crafty Siniakova, who is playing better than what recent results indicate. I’ll lean toward the Czech thanks to her aggressive return game.
Prediction: Siniakova in 2
Mar 18, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Katerina Siniakova (CZE) hits a backhand against Yue Yuan (CHN)(not pictured) on day one of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Moyuka Uchijima vs Mary Stoiana
Head-to-head: first meeting
Moyuka Uchijima picked up her first win in Osaka since 2023. She beat compatriot Ena Shibahara in three sets. Mary Stoiana started the tournament in qualifying. The American produced her best performance in downing Oleksandra Oliynykova, thereby boosting her chances of breaking into the Top 100 for the first time. Uchijima has the home support, but Stoiana has impressed the most on hard courts this season (22 wins).
Prediction: Stoiana in 2
Ann Li vs Zeynep Sonmez
Head-to-head: Sonmez 3-0 Li
The head-to-head suggests this matchup is one-sided, but their last two meetings were extremely close. Ann Li was two games away from winning in Merida, and there was little to separate them in the deciding set at this year’s Wimbledon, where Zeynep Sonmez broke serve to win the match in the final game. With Li coming off her best run of results in Asia, I will probably give her a tiny edge.
Prediction: Li in 3
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images