By Ros Satar

• Katie Boulter [9] v Priscilla Hon [Q] | H2H: Hon leads 3-0 (ITF level)
• Mika Stojsavljevic [WC] v Moyuka Uchijima | H2H: First Meeting

TOKYO, JAPAN – British No. 1 Katie Boulter, and US Open 2024 Junior champion Mika Stojsavljevic begin their Tokyo campaigns.

Katie Boulter [9] v Priscilla Hon [Q] | H2H: Boulter leads 3-0

Katie Boulter will have to overturn a 0-3 deficit in her head-to-head with Australia’s Priscilla Hon.

Tale of the Tape – Key Stats (2024)

Boulter’s strong year stands her in good stead with the numbers, leading the lower ranked Hon in all but one, with the Australian having the edge on converting her break point chances.

Playing Styles & Prediction

Despite a much-improved Boulter in key aspects of her game, the hard-court autumn has not been her friend with no back-to-back wins since Toronto. Not only that, but Boulter will also face someone who has previously had the measure of her, albeit in the ITF ranks. Clearly a lot has happened for both since then with their last encounter in 2018, and while Hon has a lot more matches under her belt through qualifying, she has yet to advance past the first round in a tour-level tournament this year.

Hon’s main successes have come at ITF tournaments this year, winning the Burnie tournament at the start of the year. Boulter defended her Nottingham title but won the WTA 500 San Diego tournament that pitched her into the upper echelons of the tour. Boulter has the edge in terms of ranking and just about in terms of performances this year, but Hon will have qualifying matches behind her, and will make this interesting.

Prediction: Boulter in three sets.

Mika Stojsavljevic [WC] v Moyuka Uchijima | H2H: First Meeting

US Open 2024 Junior champion Mika Stojsavljevic will face home crowd favourite Moyuka Uchijima as she makes her debut in Tokyo with a wildcard.

Tale of the Tape – Key Stats (2024)

It is no surprise that the teen trails Uchijima over the course of the year, and with very little tour action, she is relying on her rare ITF level tournaments to compare against the Japanese player.

Playing Styles & Prediction

To have won a junior Grand Slam title at just 15 is remarkable, and it should be remembered that Stojsavljevic won the ITF title in Nottingham ahead of that achievement. Clearly, she has a lot of physical development still to undergo, as well as preparing for the rigours of the touring life, but she has made an impressive start.

It has been a hot year for Uchijima on the ITF circuit winning three titles as part of a 19-match winning streak. She also won her first Grand Slam match at Roland Garros and will certainly have the crowd backing her.

There is no doubt that her experience will make her the favourite, but it will be a great test for Stojsavljevic to see where her level is against tour-players.

Prediction: Uchijima in straight sets.

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