Tokyo 2024: Leylah Fernandez vs Zheng Qinwen preview, head-to-head, prediction, and pick | Toray Pan Pacific Open
Match Details
Fixture: (8) Leylah Fernandez vs (1) Zheng Qinwen
Date: 25 October, 2024
Tournament: Toray Pan Pacific Open 2024
Round: Quarterfinal
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 Zheng Qinwen preview
Eighth seed Leylah Fernandez is set to face top seed Zheng Qinwen in a highly-anticipated quarterfinal clash at the 2024 Toray Pan Pacific Open on Friday, October 25. The winner could either face Diana Shnaider or home favorite Sayaka Ishii next in the semifinals.
Fernandez arrived in Tokyo following a third-round exit at the Wuhan Open. She secured hard-fought wins over Shnaider and Kamilla Rakhimova before falling to Zheng in an epic three-set battle.
In Tokyo this week, Fernandez staged an impressive comeback in her first-round match against Aliaksandra Sasnovich, winning 5-7, 6-2, 5-2. She was tested again in the second round by Varvara Gracheva but raised her game in the crucial moments to secure a 6-0, 3-6, 7-5 victory.
Zheng entered Tokyo fresh off her first-ever WTA 1000 final in Wuhan, where she lost to Aryna Sabalenka. She was due to take part in Ningbo last week but withdrew at the last minute due to health concerns.
Returning to action in Tokyo, Zheng, the No. 1 seed, kicked off her campaign with a commanding 7-5, 6-0 win over Moyuka Uchijima in the second round following a first-round bye.
Leylah Fernandez vs Zheng Qinwen head-to-head
Leylah Fernandez edges Zheng Qinwen 2-1 in their head-to-head matchups, but it was the higher-ranked Chinese who won their previous encounter 5-7, 6-3, 6-0 in Wuhan earlier this year.
Leylah Fernandez vs Zheng Qinwen odds
(Odds to be added once available)
Leylah Fernandez vs Zheng Qinwen prediction
Leylah Fernandez hasn't been at her best this week but she continues to find ways to win despite looking down and out. While her serve and performance in longer rallies have been inconsistent, her strong net play and ability to convert crucial points have kept her afloat.
Zheng Qinwen, on the other hand, has been in excellent form during the Asian hardcourt swing. After reaching the finals and semifinals in recent weeks, she looks eager to claim a title. She looked impressive in her Tokyo opener and appears well-positioned to win the crown, especially given her vast disparity in ranking compared to the remaining players in the draw.
Although Zheng defeated Fernandez in their last encounter, Fernandez leads 2-1 in their hardcourt meetings. All their matches have been close, and this quarterfinal promises to be no different.
The court surface favors both players' similar game styles, making the match likely to be decided by who serves better and handles the pressure points more effectively. Given Zheng's recent form and experience, she enters the contest with a slight edge.
Pick: Zheng to win in three sets.