Hu Yue-Yue vs. Sorana Cirstea
Marion Bartoli vs. Chang Kai-Chen
Chan Yung-Jan vs. Zheng Jie
Luksika Kumkhum vs. Duan Ying-Ying
Alizé Cornet vs. Alexandra Panova
Mathilde Johansson vs. Monica Niculescu
Julia Cohen vs. Zheng Saisai
Urszula Radwanska vs. Melinda Czink
Peng Shuai vs. Ayumi Morita
Olga Govortsova vs. Zarina Diyas
Nina Bratchikova vs. Hsieh Su-Wei
Nudnina Luangnam vs. Jarmila Gajdosova
Seoul:
Han Sung-Hee vs. Kaia Kanepi
Caroline Wozniacki vs. Arantxa Rus
Kimiko Date-Krumm vs. Magdalena Rybarikova
Garbiñe Muguruza vs. Klara Zakopalova
Galina Voskoboeva vs. Hong Hyun Hui
Varvara Lepchenko vs. Camila Giorgi
Sesil Karatantcheva vs. Anabel Medina Garrigues
Polona Hercog vs. Ekaterina Makarova
Romina Oprandi vs.Jamie Hampton
Caroline Garcia vs. Alexandra Cadantu
Vania King vs. Kiki Bertens
Match focus:
Luksika Kumkhum vs. Duan Ying-Ying
Who are these players and why are they even mentioned here? Well, Kumkhum is an up-and-coming teen from Thailand who had already won a string of challenger events earlier this year. This is her first time in a WTA event, entering in the qualifiers and beating Tanasugarn to qualifying for the main draw. With the decline of Tamarine, Kumkhum might be the answer to Thailand's new representative given how disappointing Lertcheewakarn turned out to be. Kumkhum will face local wildcard in this first round and I expect her to win with ease. She is someone to look out for in the future.
Pick: Kumkhum in 2 sets
Nudnida Luangnam vs. Jarmila Gajdosova
Jarmila Gajdosova has been in a massive slump this year, barely winning matches anywhere, on any surface. She faces another Thai qualifier in Luangnam. This match is strictly dependent on which Jarmila turns up. If a non-chalant Gajdosova shows up, I expect this match to be over quickly. Luangnam needs to mix up the balls and keep making Jarmila hit that extra ball. If she can consistently do it and not be overawed by the occasion, she might have a chance here.
Pick: Gajdosova in 3 sets
Caroline Garcia vs. Alexandra Cadantu
No idea why Seoul didn't have first round action in the first day... Anyway, another hyped young player qualifies for the main draw, Caroline Garcia. Big things were expected from the French girl after her epic fight with Sharapova last year in Roland Garros. However, Garcia failed to handle the pressure well enough and seemed to lose all the close matches she has contested. She has the chance to make it right against Cadantu, who is more of a clay-courter. Garcia's powerful strokes will be trouble for Cadantu but will she have the mental strength to finish the job?
Pick: Garcia in 3 sets
Caroline Wozniacki vs. Arantxa Rus
Falling out of the top ten for the first time since 2009, Caroline Wozniacki tries to climb back into the elite by joining smaller events. This is a good sign because Caroline is just extremely low in confidence right now. She needs more matches and more wins to get back to her former self. However, she faces a tough task of taking Arantxa Rus, who is performing very well on tour this year. After reaching the 4th round in Roland Garros, Rus also took out grass clown, Stosur in Wimbledon. So this Dutch girl isn't afraid of beating the top players. Will the low in confidence Wozniacki sink further?
Pick: Rus in 3 sets
Sure win bets: Sorana Cirstea, Zheng Saisai Ekaterina Makarova, Anabel Medina Garrigues
Upset alerts: Monica Niculescu, Caroline Wozniacki, Alexandra Cadantu
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