No. 1 seed Naomi Osaka looks to continue her strong play in her home city of Osaka. She squares off against Suzan Lamens in a matinee battle on center court. As always, we at LWOT have the preview and prediction for every match on the slate. But who will advance?
WTA Osaka Day 3 Predictions
Katie Boulter vs Sorana Cirstea
Head-to-Head: first meeting
Not much separates the careers of Katie Boulter and Sorana Cirstea. Both women are currently ranked in the 50s with career-highs in the 20s, and both have won three titles. However, Cirstea has been in much better form of late. The Romanian is 15-5 since the beginning of August, whereas Boulter is just 4-6 over that same span. Boulter enjoys the faster courts that WTA Osaka provides, but Cirstea can match this. She wins a tight match.
Prediction: Cirstea in 3
Olga Danilovic vs Ashlyn Krueger
Head-to-Head: first meeting
Just one ranking slot separates Olga Danilovic and Ashlyn Krueger. Both women, who love fast surfaces, should feel they have a chance to make a run at WTA Osaka. They are two hard-hitters who thrive by putting pressure on the opposition. However, the 21-year-old American has, in my opinion, a bit of a higher ceiling when firing on all cylinders.
Prediction: Krueger in 3
Jessica Bouzas Maneiro vs Jaqueline Cristian
Head-to-Head: Bouzas Maneiro 1-0 Cristian
Jessica Bouzas Maneiro crushed Jaqueline Cristian 6-4 6-0 a few weeks ago in Beijing. There is nothing that makes me believe this match will be any different. Bouzas Maneiro is peaking at the moment.
Prediction: Bouzas Maneiro in 2
Naomi Osaka vs Suzan Lamens
Head-to-Head: Osaka 1-0
Naomi Osaka certainly feels the love when she plays in her home city. She bested Suzan Lamens 6-2 6-2 last year in ‘s-Hertogenbosch. Current Naomi is in much better form and is playing in front of her home crowd. She will roll.
Prediction: Osaka in 2
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey – Imagn Images