WTA Osaka: Day 3 Match Previews and Predictions

Day 3 of the WTA Osaka tennis tournament features a lineup of exciting matches, with McCartney Kessler, one of the season’s most surprising title winners, returning to the court. In Cleveland earlier this year, Kessler captured attention with her unexpected victory. As play continues at the Utsubo Tennis Center, several key matchups highlight the day’s schedule.

In their first meeting, Lucia Bronzetti and Suzan Lamens face off after both comfortably winning their opening-round matches. Lamens made a notable impression with her 6-1, 6-2 victory over the No. 6 seed, Viktoriya Tomova. Despite both players occasionally showing inconsistency, Bronzetti is favored due to her ability to dictate points with her forehand, making her the likely winner in three sets.

Another anticipated match includes Clara Tauson and Harriet Dart, with Tauson holding a 2-0 head-to-head advantage. Known for her powerful groundstrokes, Tauson typically excels against opponents like Dart, who relies more on hard-fought rallies but lacks pace in her shots. While Tauson’s inconsistency provides Dart a chance, the Dane is expected to secure a straight-sets victory.

In another first-time encounter, Italian Elisabetta Cocciaretto narrowly avoided an upset against Jessika Ponchet in the opening round. Facing Japanese favorite Aoi Ito, who achieved a surprise win earlier in the tournament, Cocciaretto is likely more comfortable against Ito’s conventional style, predicting a win in two sets over the home crowd favorite.

Head-to-head, Eva Lys leads McCartney Kessler 1-0. Kessler’s first victory at the WTA 250 level came in this week’s tournament, reviving the form she showcased in Cleveland. However, Lys, who has yet to drop a set in Osaka, could capitalize on Kessler’s search for consistent performance post-title. Lys is anticipated to win in three sets.

As the tournament progresses, these matches point to both seasoned players and rising stars making their mark on the WTA Tour. The competition continues to unfold, promising thrilling displays of resilience and skill on the court.