Misaki Doi vs Maria Sakkari Prediction & Betting Tips - WTA Japan Open

Prediction published on 26/09/2023, 13:42  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 26/09/2023 at 14:42 in Tennis Predictions

Misaki Doi attempts to cause another upset in the Toray Pan Pacific Open. The world number 331 takes on in-form fourth seed Maria Sakkari in round two of what is scheduled to be her final tournament. For the winner of this match there's a quarter final against either fifth seed Caroline Garcia or unseeded Anhelina Kalinana. Due to a chronic back problem, 32-year-old Misaki Doi is retiring from the tour and hasn't played a great deal this year. It's only her second tournament since June and last week in Osaka she was beaten by Arianne Hartano who was only ranked 191st at the time. Seven years ago Doi was the world number 30 and rolled back the years against Petra Martic in the first round here with a straight sets victory.

Maria Sakkari comes into this outdoor hard court tournament fresh from her title win in Guadalajara. That included a semi-final win over Caroline Garcia who she could face in the next round. The Greek player was ranked sixth in the world after that tournament victory. Sakkari is ninth in the Live WTA Race,one place behind the final qualifying position for the end-of-season WTA Tour Finals. Another good run here would give her a chance of getting into the top eight. The 28-year-old didn't lose a set when winning the Guadalajara tournament.That was her second recent final on hard courts. Sakkari also got to the title decider in Washington last month, losing to future US Open champion Coco Gauff. A bye was received into this second round in Tokyo and we tip Sakkari to win in straight sets.