Tokyo 2024: Leylah Fernandez vs Varvara Gracheva preview, head-to-head, prediction, odds and pick | Toray Pan Pacific Open
Match Details
Fixture: (8) Leylah Fernandez vs Varvara Gracheva
Date: 23 October, 2024
Tournament: Toray Pan Pacific Open 2024
Round: Second Round (Round of 16)
Venue: Ariake Coliseum, Tokyo, Japan
Category: WTA 500
Surface: Hardcourt (Outdoor)
Winner's Prize Money: $142,000
Live Telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Sky Sports | Canada - DAZN
Leylah Fernandez vs Varvara Gracheva preview
The 2024 Pan Pacific Open will feature a clash between eighth-seeded Leylah Fernandez and Varvara Gracheva in the second round. Fernandes has a 19-12 record in 2024, reaching the final of the Rothesay International, losing 3-6, 4-6 to Daria Kasatkina. The Canadian entered the event in Tokyo after a Round of 16 exit at the Wuhan Open, losing 7-5, 3-6, 0-6 to Zheng Qinwen.
The World No. 35 has two notable hard-court results in 2024 so far. She reached the quarterfinal at the Cincinnati Open, losing 5-7, 7-6 (1), 6-7(3), against eventual runner-up Jessica Pegula. She also reached the last eight at the Qatar Open earlier this year, losing 4-6, 2-6 to Elena Rybakina. At the Pan Pacific Open, the eighth seed began her campaign against Aliaksandra Sasnovich. The Canadian player won via retirement as the Russian withdrew from the match in the third set while trailing 2-5.
Varavara Gracheva has had a poor season in 2024, as the French player has not made any deep runs at any of the events she has played in on the main WTA Tour. One of the most impressive performances for her came at the French Open, where she reached the fourth round, losing 5-7, 2-6 to Mirra Andreeva.
The French player has had one decent result on hard courts. At the very beginning of the year, she reached the quarterfinal at the ASB Classic. She was soundly defeated 1-6, 1-6 by eventual champion Coco Gauff. At the Pan Pacific Open, the World No. 68 began her campaign with a 6-1, 7-6 (4) win over Japanese qualifier Mai Hontama in the first round.
Leylah Fernandez vs Varvara Gracheva head-to-head
Fernandez has a 1-0 lead over Gracheva in the pair's head-to-head records. Fernandez won the only match 6-4, 6-3 in the qualifying round of the 2023 Citi Open.
Leylah Fernandez vs Varvara Gracheva odds
(Odds are sourced from BetMGM)
Leylah Fernandez vs Varvara Gracheva prediction
Leylah Fernandez has a 60 percent win ratio on hard courts in her career, with all three career titles coming on the surface. The most prestigious moment for Candain came on hard courts as she reached the final of the 2021 US Open, losing 4-6, 3-6 to Emma Raducanu. The last hard court title for the Canadian came at the 2023 Hong Kong Open, when she won 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 against Katerina Siniakova in the final.
Varvara Gracheva has yet to win a title on the WTA Tour. The Frenchwoman has a 50 percent win record on hard courts and her only WTA final came on the hard courts. She reached the final of the 2023 ATX Open, losing 3-6, 5-7 against Marta Kostyuk.
The current form indicates that Fernandez will have the advantage in the upcoming match as she is the higher-seeded player.
Pick- Fernandez to win in straight sets