I’m excited to preview the second-round matchup between Daria Kasatkina and McCartney Kessler at the Toray Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo. Third seed Daria Kasatkina enters this tournament fresh off a title win at the Ningbo Open, where she defeated Mirra Andreeva in the final.
The Russian has been in impressive form this season, reaching the finals of the Adelaide International and Abu Dhabi Open. Meanwhile, Kessler has been steadily making her way up the ranks, recently reaching the Round of 16 at the Japan Women’s Open.
The young American has won 63% of her matches over the last 12 months, showcasing her growing potential on the WTA Tour. Since this will be Kasatkina and Kessler’s first meeting, both players will be keen to improve their head-to-head record.
In terms of their playing styles, Kasatkina is known for her crafty, counterpunching approach, while Kessler thrives on raw power. “Where Kessler thrives on power, Kasatkina has a more counterpunching approach,” I explained.
Kasatkina’s versatility and experience may give her the edge in this matchup, as she has faced tougher opposition on average, with an average opponent ranking of 121 compared to Kessler’s 189.
“Kasatkina is the favorite to win this fixture, as she has also played against a better opponent with an average rank of 121, compared to Kessler, who has played against opposition with an average rank of 189,” I reported. However, Kessler’s solid serve and ability to surprise her opponents could pose a challenge for Kasatkina.
The young American will be looking to pull off the upset and continue her strong run at the Toray Pan Pacific Open. As these two talented players take the court, fans can expect a thrilling battle of contrasting styles, with Kasatkina’s experience and Kessler’s rising talent set to collide in Tokyo.