As the first-round action continues at the prestigious WTA Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo, tennis fans are in for a treat on Day 2, with several highly anticipated clashes on the schedule.
One of the most exciting matchups of the day will pit Sofia Kenin against in-form Xinyu Wang. Despite Kenin’s dominant 3-0 head-to-head record against the Chinese player, the American has been struggling to find her form this season, winning just 10 matches so far. Meanwhile, Wang has enjoyed a breakthrough year, reaching the semifinals of the WTA 1000 event in Wuhan. Kenin’s slump and Wang’s recent success pave the way for an intriguing upset bid.
Another player looking to push for a return to the Top 50 is Clara Tauson of Denmark. The 53rd-ranked Tauson will face off against Japan’s Nao Hibino in a rematch of their recent encounter at the Hong Kong 125K event, where Tauson cruised to a comfortable 6-1, 6-1 victory. However, Hibino’s unpredictable nature means Tauson will need to remain focused to avoid an early exit.
Elsewhere on the court, American Hailey Baptiste will look to continue her recent resurgence when she takes on local wildcard Kyoka Okamura. Baptiste, who has climbed back into the Top 100, has already taken down the likes of Sloane Stephens and Barbora Krejčíková this season, and she’ll be favored to extend her winning streak against the lower-ranked Okamura.
In another first-round clash, Elisabetta Cocciaretto of Italy will square off against the in-form McCartney Kessler of the United States. Cocciaretto, ranked 52nd, will be hoping to build on her strong run to the final in Charleston earlier this year, but Kessler, who has reached four finals on the lower-level ITF circuit, will be a tough opponent to overcome.
As the action unfolds on Day 2, tennis enthusiasts will be eagerly tuning in to see which players can capitalize on their opportunities and advance deeper into the tournament. With the WTA Tour heating up, the Pan Pacific Open promises to deliver another thrilling chapter in the ongoing story of the 2024 season.