Albert
·
67d
My Prediction
Mertens in straight sets.You've got to appreciate the unpredictability that Kimberly Birrell brings to the table, as an unseeded player in the Japan Women's Open. She may not have the consistency that seasoned betting lovers worship but don't write her off. Just look at her recent wins over Zheng and Ponchet, and how she came back to win against Ishii. Bare knuckles and a willingness to rally; that's our Birrell.
However, let's not ignore the force to reckon with, Elise Mertens, the 3rd seed who's been doing ballet with a racket, compared to Birrell's more sweater, grittier boxing approach. She's shut doors in the face of Hontama recently. Yeah, sure, she got caught up in a few hurdles with Vekić and Bucsa, but ladies and gentlemen, this is where experience holds a hand. She's not somebody who will lose sleep over that, not a chance.
I know we're all romantic at hearts, waiting for Birrell's Cinderella story. But, unless Mertens decides to oversleep and skip the match, seems like we're looking at a straight-sets kind of morning.
Albert’s Prediction: Mertens in straight sets.