Japan Women's Open 2024: Mccartney Kessler vs Ena Shibahara preview, head-to-head, prediction, and pick

Match Details

Fixture: Mccartney Kessler vs Ena Shibahara

Date: 14 October, 2024

Tournament: Japan Women's Open 2024

Round: First round (Round of 32)

Venue: Osaka, Japan

Category: WTA 500

Surface: Hardcourt

Prize money: $1,818,380

Live telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Amazon Prime | Canada - TSN

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Mccartney Kessler vs Ena Shibahara preview

Kessler plays a forehand in the Hong Kong Tennis Open - Source: Getty

World No. 77 Mccartney Kessler will take on Ena Shibahara in the first round of the Japan Women's Open.

Kessler has been working towards adjusting her game on the main tour. She was rewarded with a remarkable title triumph in Cleveland after putting in the hard yards on the ITF circuit this year. Kessler defeated three of the top five seeds en route to her first title on tour.

The American then chalked up early exits in New York and Beijing and will enter Osaka on the back of a first-round exit in the China Open. Despite a spirited performance against Zhang Shuai, the Chinese player eliminated her in straight sets, 7-6(5), 7-6(1).

Ena Shibahara in the WTA 500 Guadalajara Open 2024 - Day 7 - Source: Getty

Ena Shibahara, meanwhile, has also played most of her tennis on the ITF circuit this year. She reached the second round of the US Open, which was her best result on the main tour.

The Japanese will enter Osaka on the back of a second-round exit in Guadalajara. She started her campaign with a confident win against Kimberly Birrell in the first round but was eliminated by Caroline Garcia in the second. The French player outfoxed Shibahara in a close encounter, 7-6(3), 7-6(5).

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Mccartney Kessler vs Ena Shibahara head-to-head

The head-to-head between the duo is locked at 0-0.

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Mccartney Kessler vs Ena Shibahara odds

Player Name	Moneyline	Handicap Bets	Total Games
Mccartney Kessler
Ena Shibahara

Odds will be updated when available.

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Mccartney Kessler vs Ena Shibahara prediction

Kessler in the China Open this year - Day 3 - Source: Getty

Mccartney Kessler announced herself on the women's tour with a brilliant run in the Tennis in the Land event in Cleveland. She showcased her skill set against higher-ranked opponents such as Anastasia Potapova and Beatriz Haddad Maia to lift the title. The American will be keen to build on this victory and find more consistency on the main tour.

Shibahara, on the contrary, has chalked up a title-winning run in the ITF W35 Spring event in the United States and a runner-up finish in the ITF W100 Tokyo this year. She has yet to find her feet on the main tour but is moving in the right direction towards her goals.

Considering their results this year and record at the highest level, Kessler will be a slight favorite to come out on top. The American was on the receiving end of a close encounter in Beijing and will be raring to get back to winning ways in Osaka. She should be able to pass this test and advance to the second round of the Japan Women's Open.

Pick: Kessler to win in straight sets.