WTA Tokyo Day 4 Predictions Including Rybakina vs Putintseva

We wrap up the second round on Day 4 of the WTA Toray Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo with four matches. Four women will advance to the quarterfinals, while four will come closer to ending their season. But who will advance? As always, we share our thoughts on all four matches. Who do you think will win?

WTA Tokyo Day 4 Predictions

Alycia Parks vs Kimberly Birrell

This is a great opportunity for both women to pick up a lot of ranking points at a WTA 500. Parks definitely has the more potential and upside of the two, but Birrell is more consistent and has more variety. On an indoor court, I like Parks to be able to control more rallies.

Prediction: Parks in 3

Leylah Fernandez vs Elise Mertens

Mertens has been playing some of her best tennis in years recently, but her path is still predictable. She beats the players she is supposed to, and rarely takes down the better ones. Fernandez won this battle in a tight three-setter just last week in Ningbo, and I don’t expect this match to look much different.

Prediction: Fernandez in 3

Naomi Osaka vs Mia Pohankova

This is only Osaka’s second tournament since the US Open, but her form doesn’t seem to rusty. This is a huge step up in talent for Pohankova, and I don’t think she’ll be ready for it.

Prediction: Osaka in 2

Elena Rybakina vs Yulia Putintseva

Rybakina looks like a consistent front-runner at World No. 1 now, and I don’t think her fellow Kazakhstani will be able to find an answer for her raw power. Putintseva usually does well in these kinds of matchups, but not given her current form or the fast indoor courts.

Prediction: Rybakina in 2