Moyuka Uchijima in 3 sets.
A sunny day in Thailand, perfect for a tennis showdown. I hope your sunglasses have a good polarizing filter, because we're about to delve into this face-off between Moyuka Uchijima and Arianne Hartono, sure to dazzle.
Tallying recent victories, one might find faith in Hartono, who has effectively countered the twisted spins and taught lines of her opponents. Uchijima, however, seems to have been in a rut recently, with more wallop than whack in her game, if you catch my drift. Suffering defeats at the hands of Niemeier, Stearns, Krueger, and Samsonova, it seems Uchijima's performance recently has been as sparse as a giraffe’s dental floss.
Do not let me convince you that this match is as one-sided as a Picasso portrait. Hartono, despite her winning run, comes into this match unseeded. That's like an ugly duckling swimming amongst a flock of glorious geese - she's got her work cut out for her.
And it's not like Uchijma has lost her groove completely. Let us not forget that she's the 7th seed. There's something to be said about consistency and, like a well-adjusted metronome, Uchijima has proven her efficacy on the court time and again.
My magic 8-ball, combined with competitive analysis, suggests that we shouldn't sell Uchijima short. A seventh seed tumble doesn't bode well, but never underestimate the fury of a cornered contender.
Albert's Prediction: Moyuka Uchijima in 3 sets.