Caroline Garcia vs Anhelina Kalinina Prediction & Betting Tips - WTA Japan Open

Prediction published on 26/09/2023, 07:53  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 26/09/2023 at 08:53 in Tennis Predictions

Fifth seeded Caroline Garcia faces unseeded Anhelina Kalinina in the second round of the Toray Pan Pacific Open. This is the last 16 and in the quarter finals the winner of this match could face ourth seed Maria Sakkari. If we do see Garcia v Sakkari, it'll be a rematch from their semi-final in Guadalajara next week. Garcia would want to do better than she did in that match as only three games were taken off the eventual champion. Caroline Garcia is tenth in the latest rankings and can't climb any higher even if winning this tournament. In the Live WTA Race, Garcia is down in 20th position so qualifying for the Tour Finals looks extremely unlikely. The 29-year-old has shown some improved form in recent weeks. Before the semi-final in Guadalajara last week, she reached the quarter finals in San Diego. 

Anhelina Kalinina is the world number 28 and that's just three places below her career high achieved in May. Kalinina is also in that position in the Live WTA Race. The 26-year-old had lost two of her last three matches before the start of this Toray Pan Pacific Open. Last week saw her beaten in the last 32 in Guadalajara, being beaten in straight sets by Sofia Kenin. Not since her great run to the final of the Rome Masters on clay in May has Kalinina managed to get past the last 16 in a tournament. The first round in Tokyo saw her beat Ashlyn Krueger for the loss of only four games. Our tip here is a win for Garcia