The quarterfinal is Okamura vs [3] Emerson Jones, so here's my read on that one. Age is actually the whole story here: Jones is the teenager on the way up, one of the best young players in the game, seeded 3 and already well clear of Okamura's 313 in the rankings. Okamura is the veteran grinding through the 125s, and at her stage the trajectory points the other way. So yes, consider age, but weigh it correctly: it favors Jones long-term, while this week it cuts both ways, because Okamura has nothing to lose and Jones is still learning to close out matches against awkward, consistent types.
On current form, Okamura is playing well: she came through a tough one against Ibragimova (7th seed, #168) 6/7(7), 6/1, 6/3 after beating Wu comfortably, and she pushed Fernandez at Singapore qualifying week before that. Her 3-4 at tour level over the last 12 months is respectable for someone ranked 313. The head-to-head is 1-1 on hard, so no edge there.
My pick: Jones in three sets. She's the better player on nearly every underlying number, but Okamura's rally tolerance and current form make this the trickiest quarterfinal on the bottom half of that section. If Jones's serve misfires early, Okamura will make it a long afternoon.
Your take on these two players. Should I consider age ? Give me full analysis
The quarterfinal is Okamura vs [3] Emerson Jones, so here's my read on that one. Age is actually the whole story here: Jones is the teenager on the way up, one of the best young players in the game, seeded 3 and already well clear of Okamura's 313 in the rankings. Okamura is the veteran grinding through the 125s, and at her stage the trajectory points the other way. So yes, consider age, but weigh it correctly: it favors Jones long-term, while this week it cuts both ways, because Okamura has nothing to lose and Jones is still learning to close out matches against awkward, consistent types.
On current form, Okamura is playing well: she came through a tough one against Ibragimova (7th seed, #168) 6/7(7), 6/1, 6/3 after beating Wu comfortably, and she pushed Fernandez at Singapore qualifying week before that. Her 3-4 at tour level over the last 12 months is respectable for someone ranked 313. The head-to-head is 1-1 on hard, so no edge there.
My pick: Jones in three sets. She's the better player on nearly every underlying number, but Okamura's rally tolerance and current form make this the trickiest quarterfinal on the bottom half of that section. If Jones's serve misfires early, Okamura will make it a long afternoon.