Japan Women's Open 2024: McCartney Kessler vs Eva Lys preview, head-to-head, prediction, and pick

Match Details

Fixture: McCartney Kessler vs Eva Lys

Date: 16 October, 2024

Tournament: 2024 Japan Women's Open

Round: Second Round (Round of 16)

Venue: Utsubo Tennis Center, Osaka, Japan

Category: WTA 250

Surface: Hardcourt

Prize Money: $275,000

Live Telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Sky Sports | Canada - TSN

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McCartney Kessler vs Eva Lys preview

McCartney Kessler and Eva Lys came through the opening round with dominant wins to book a second-round showdown at the 2024 Japan Women’s Open.

Kessler, who lifted her first title at the Tennis in the Land Open in August, continues her successful transition from college tennis to the professional level. Having stunned the likes of Beatriz Haddad Maia, Wang Xinyu, and Anastasia Potapova on her way to the title in Cleveland as a wildcard, she has since had an up-and-down graph.

The American suffered first-round exits at the US Open and in Beijing before reaching the quarterfinals at the Hong Kong 125k before being forced to retire. She beat Ena Shibahara 6-4, 6-1 in the opener in Osaka.

Lys has already won three matches this week. (Source: Getty)

Lys, meanwhile, has also had some encouraging results in recent months, making the semifinals and quarterfinals at Budapest and Monastir, respectively.

Coming into the Japan Women’s Open, the German is sitting at a near career-high ranking of No. 118. She had lost in the second round of the qualifiers in Osaka to Suzan Lamens but made the most of her lucky loser entry to beat Camila Osorio Serrano in the opening round rather convincingly 6-2, 6-3.

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McCartney Kessler vs Eva Lys head-to-head

Lys leads Kessler in their current head-to-head 1-0, having beaten her at the US Open qualifiers last year 6-2, 6-1.

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McCartney Kessler vs Eva Lys odds

Player	Moneyline	Handicap Bet	Total Games
McCartney Kessler
Eva Lys

(Odds will be updated when available)

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McCartney Kessler vs Eva Lys prediction

Kessler recently lifted her first career title at Cleveland. (Source: Getty)

The second-round encounter will pit Eva Lys’ powerful groundstrokes against McCartney Kessler’s steady baseline game.

Looking at their previous meeting, Kessler struggled to find answers to her opponent’s firepower. The quick courts in Japan will once again play more to the liking of Lys, who will look to take control of the back court.

The German has been aggressive in her intent all week, breaking her opponents 16 times already in three matches. For someone like Kessler, who has a rather attackable second serve, that could be a concerning stat.

The American has shown her ability to use the pace on opponents' shots against them. A passive approach, however, is unlikely to yield results, only allowing Lys to settle into a rhythm. Unless Kessler can step up and be more aggressive herself, she risks being blown away by her opponent’s firepower.

Prediction: Eva Lys to win in three sets.