Osaka Prediction: Fernandez vs Cirstea 10/18/2025 Today’s Tennis Picks

Fourth seed Leylah Fernandez will face World No. 51 Sorana Cirstea in the semifinal of the 2025 Japan Open in Osaka. Here’s our Leylah Fernandez vs Sorana Cirstea prediction. This preview will also include a Leylah Fernandez vs Sorana Cirstea pick.

Leylah Fernandez vs Sorana Cirstea Preview

Leylah Fernandez knocked out Rebecca Sramkova in two tight sets to reach the Japan Open semifinals. The match took 22 games to decide. Fernandez won the first set in a tiebreak, having earlier recovered from 5-6 down, breaking back Sramkova who served for the set. 

Fernandez was a break down early in the second set, but she quickly found her footing and broke Sramkova’s serve three times to wrap up a 7-6, 6-3 win in an hour and 36 minutes. Fernandez hit 2 aces and 3 double faults in the victory. She landed 69% of first serves in play and won 68% of first serve points (28/41). Fernandez won 56% of second serve points (10/18) and saved one of three break points.

Sorana Cirstea reached her first WTA semifinal since winning the title at Cleveland in August. The Romanian veteran beat Swiss one hander Viktorija Golubic in three sets in a match that took 24 games to decide. Sorana Cirstea prevailed 6-2, 2-6, 6-2 in an hour and 44 minutes.

Cirstea tallied 5 aces and 1 double fault in the victory. She landed 59% of first serves in play and won 74% of first serve points (28/38). Cirstea won 58% of second serve points (15/26) and saved three of five break points. Before this, Cirstea accounted for wins over Moyuka Uchijima and Katie Boulter. This will be her third semifinal of the season.

Leylah Fernandez vs Sorana Cirstea Head-To-Head

Fernandez and Cirstea have never played each other at any level.

Leylah Fernandez vs Sorana Cirstea Prediction

This has the potential to get scrappy and I think that’s where Fernandez will shine, using her ability to open the court and coming out on top of the longer rallies. Cirstea has played well in this tournament and deserves a lot of credit for turning her season around and rejoining the top 50 after last year’s injury nightmare. But I don’t fancy the Romanian getting any success here against Fernandez’s high intense tennis.