Madrid day 6: Italians' curse

Before I begin, I'll like to apologize for all the wrong picks yesterday? Who would have expected Azarenka to implode like that? She needs to rein in her anger and frustrations in order for her to take her game to another level. Anyway, here's the schedule for today:

Schedule of play:

Sabine Lisicki vs. Maria Sharapova
Serena Williams vs Maria Kirilenko
Varvara Lepchenko vs. Sara Errani
Daniela Hantuchova vs. Kaia Kanepi
Ekaterina Makarova vs. Marion Bartoli

Match focus:

Daniela Hantuchova vs. Kaia Kanepi

Look who's back! Daniela Hantuchova comes out of nowhere to upset Petra Kvitova in her previous round. However, Kvitova is having a roller coaster year with crazy highs and lows. She's becoming another Julia Goerges in the making. Anyway, Daniela, faces comeback kid, Kaia Kanepi. The Estonian seems to be handling her comeback very well, going into her winning mode instantly. It's a pity as who knows how high Kaia would have risen if not for her injuries. Kanepi has a very powerful clay court game which will trouble Daniela. The Slovak needs to dictate the points or else things will go quickly in favour of Kanepi. As always, Daniela can be a victim of the post upset syndrome, where she falls easily in her next match.

Pick: Kanepi in 2 sets

Sabine Lisicki vs. Maria Sharapova

Lisicki famously ousted Sharapova 2 years ago on Wimbledon, and took a set off her last year too. Will she be able to replicate her success on clay? Sadly, Sabine's game isn't suited for clay as she doesn't have the patience to construct points. Sharapova has grown leaps and bounds on the red stuff and is actually quite a clay court player now. Given the past history and recent form, Sharapova will emerge as the winner this time again.

Pick: Sharapova in 2 sets

Varvara Lepchenko vs. Sara Errani

Having disposed of Roberta Vinci in her first round, Lepchenko faces another Italian here in Errani. Varvara seems to be quite a thorn on the Italians' skin as she took out Vinci and Errani in Fed Cup just one month ago. I believe she knows how to defeat them and will have the confidence to do it again. Errani struggled against Cirstea, so her form is suspicious. Expect an upset here.

Pick: Lepchenko in 2 tight sets

Sure win bets: Maria Sharapova, Serena Williams, Kaia Kanepi

Upset alert: Marion Bartoli, Sara Errani