Elena Rybakina vs Yulia Putintseva Prediction & Betting Tips - Japan Women's Open

Prediction published on 28/10/2026, 07:40  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 28/10/2026 at 08:41 in Tennis Predictions

We have an all-Kazakhstan match in round two of the outdoor hard court Toray Pan Pacific Open. Top seed Elena Rybakina takes on compatriot Yulia Putintseva and the seeded player is in excellent form. At least 19 games have been played in three of the previous four matches between these players. Our prediction here is more than 18.5 games.

In the quarter-finals, the winner will be facing either fifth seed Elise Mertens or unseeded Leylah Annie Fernandez.

This could well be a memorable match for Elena Rybakina. A win will see her become the world number one for the first time in her career. Rybakina has won her last two matches against Putintseva, most recently a straight sets victory in Miami this year.

Her form is strong, winning the Ningbo title in her last tournament.

More than 18.5 games have been played in six of her last seven completed matches.

Yulia Putintseva had to qualify to reach the main draw in Tokyo. The world number 67 had to go to a third set in her final qualifier. Round one of this outdoor hard court tournament saw Putintseva defeat Maria Sakkari, again needing three sets to get the win. 

There have been more than 18.5 games played in six of her last eight matches.