Japan vs Kazakhstan - Billie Jean King Cup Qualifiers Tennis Prediction and Pick 4/12/24
Japan vs Kazakhstan
April 12-13, 2024
Japan -370 / Kazakhstan +263 Click Here for the Latest Odds
Where to Watch: USA: Tennis Channel
Japan and Kazakhstan will clash for the sixth time in the Billie Jean King Cup. The two nations will look to reach the November Finals. This tie will be played in Tokyo between 12 and 13 April 2024. Here's our preview and prediction.
Osaka returns to Billie Jean King Cup action
Naomi Osaka has been recalled to the squad for the first time since 2020. Osaka spent the past year on maternity leave and only rejoined the tour at the start of the 2024 season. She recently re-entered the Top 200 after making back-to-back third rounds in Indian Wells and Miami. Osaka can count on her compatriots to secure an expected win over Kazakhstan, chief among them being Nao Hibino and the doubles prowess of Shuko Aoyama and Ena Shibahara.
Rybakina misses out on Kazakhstan's team
Kazakhstan will be without their top-ranked player, Elena Rybakina, who is seeking extended time off to recover from her exertions in Miami. That means Yulia Putintseva will fill the big shoes of the world no. 4. The 29-year-old is vastly experienced and is in great form coming to this tie against Japan. She reached the round of 16 in Indian Wells and made the quarterfinals of Miami in March. So, if the underdogs are looking to spring an upset, it is Putintseva who will carry the weight of her nation on Friday. She is part of a four-woman team and the highest-ranked player.
Japan vs Kazakhstan Head-To-Head
Japan leads the head-to-head 4-1, winning their last clash at the Asia/Oceania I Promotional Play-Off in 2018.
Japan vs Kazakhstan Prediction
Kazakhstan will need to defy the odds to win this tie. Japanese players can count on home support and additionally have a multi-Grand Slam champion in their ranks. They have too much quality in the event a doubles rubber is required to settle things. The away team will dearly miss Elena Rybakina, who could have evened the odds. With that said, Putintseva's hard work will probably be insufficient for Kazakhstan in the grand scheme of things. It is tough to see anything but a home win here.
Nur’s Pick Japan to win tie 3-0
AUTHOR: Nur Said
