At the WTA 250 Kinoshita Group Japan Open in Osaka, Elise Mertens, the tournament’s third seed, showcased her prowess on the court by defeating Spain’s Cristina Bucsa in straight sets. The match concluded with a score of 7-6(5), 6-3 after a competitive 102 minutes. This victory was particularly sweet for Mertens as it marked her revenge for a prior defeat to Bucsa at the US Open earlier this year. Mertens is set to face Tereza Valentova, an 18-year-old qualifier from the Czech Republic who has made waves in the tournament by dispatching Alexandra Eala from the Philippines with a commanding score of 6-1, 6-2 in just 87 minutes.
In another notable match, Canadian fourth seed Leylah Fernandez secured her spot in the second round with a hard-fought 6-2, 7-5 victory against America’s Hailey Baptiste. Fernandez will next meet Hungarian qualifier Dalma Galfi, who progressed after a 6-4, 6-4 win over another American player, Alycia Parks.
Czech talent Marie Bouzkova cruised into the next round by overwhelming Japan’s Ena Shibahara with a lopsided 6-1, 6-1 victory, taking only 61 minutes to conclude the match. This encounter was a rematch of their 2014 US Open juniors showdown, where Bouzkova had also triumphed decisively. Bouzkova’s next challenge will be against Viktorija Golubic, who fought through a tense match against Bianca Andreescu, prevailing 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 after over two hours on court. This win marked Golubic’s sixth consecutive victory and improved her head-to-head record against the 2019 US Open champion to 2-1.
Spanish eighth seed Jessica Bouzas Maneiro also advanced, defeating American qualifier Katie Volynets with a score of 6-2, 6-4. Bouzas Maneiro is scheduled to meet Romanian Jacqueline Cristian, who triumphed in her match against Italian qualifier Elisabetta Cocciarretto, winning 6-2, 7-6(4).
Additionally, American Ann Li demonstrated her skills with a 6-4, 6-0 victory over French qualifier Varvara Gracheva and will face Rebecca Sramkova from Slovakia, who defeated Taiwanese qualifier Joanna Garland 6-3, 6-2.
Looking ahead to Day 3 of the tournament, all eyes will be on top seed Naomi Osaka from Japan, along with Britain’s Katie Boulter, as they prepare to make their tournament debuts.
