The Toray Pan Pacific Open 2025 is set to heat up as top contenders Belinda Bencic and Sofia Kenin prepare to compete in the Round of 16 on October 23, 2025. This prestigious WTA 500 event takes place at the Ariake Coliseum in Tokyo, with both players showcasing impressive performances leading up to this stage.
Round of 16 Match Preview
Belinda Bencic, the fifth seed in the tournament, will face Varvara Gracheva, currently ranked 82nd in the world. Bencic has had a successful season, achieving a 33-17 win-loss record. She recently claimed the WTA 500 title in Abu Dhabi, marking her return to form after a title drought since April 2023. Bencic has historically performed well in Tokyo, where she reached the final in 2015.
On the other hand, Gracheva enters the match after defeating Wang Xinyu in the first round, following successful qualifying matches. Prediction: Belinda Bencic is expected to win in straight sets.
Sofia Kenin vs. Sonobe Wakana
In another exciting matchup, Sofia Kenin, the top-seeded American, will compete against Japan’s Sonobe Wakana. Kenin, the 2024 Pan Pacific Open runner-up, achieved a straightforward victory over Moyuka Uchijima in her opening match, winning 6-1, 6-3. The former Grand Slam champion aims to secure her first WTA title since March 2020. This season, Kenin has faced challenges in the Asia swing, with early exits in Wuhan, Beijing, and Korea.
Wakana, a promising 17-year-old ranked 263rd in the WTA singles, advanced past Nikola Bartunkova in the first round. Prediction: Sofia Kenin is anticipated to win the match, likely in three sets.
Additional Predictions
- Leylah Fernandez vs. Elena Rybakina – Prediction: Elena Rybakina in three sets.
- Ekaterina Alexandrova vs. Jaqueline Cristian – Prediction: Ekaterina Alexandrova in straight sets.
The winners of these matches will advance to the quarterfinals, joining Karolína Muchova, Victoria Mboko, Anna Kalinskaya, and Linda Noskova in the next round of the tournament. As the competition intensifies, fans can expect thrilling encounters on Day 4 of the Pan Pacific Open.
