Wednesday 17 July 2013

Bastaad, Bad Gastein day 4: Will Pennetta ever recapture her former glory?

Bastaad schedule:

Richel Hogenkamp vs. Lesia Tsurenko
Flavia Pennetta vs. Simona Halep
Serena Williams vs. Anna Tatishvili
Mathilde Johansson vs. Andrea Gamiz

Bad Gastein schedule:

Mandy Minella vs. Annika Beck
Yvonne Meusburger vs. Irina-Camelia Begu
Petra Martic vs. Patricia Mayr-Achleitner
Arantxa Rus vs. Estrella Cabeza Candela
Elina Svitolina vs. Chanelle Scheepers

Match focus:

Flavia Pennetta vs. Simona Halep


Flavia Pennetta's comeback so far has been lacklustre as she struggled to maintain her form throughout the entire match. There will be times where she plays brilliantly, followed by errors and uninspired play. One has to wonder if she continues like this, will she retire at the end of the year? Being 31, age definitely is a factor against the younger opponents, such as her opponent Simona. Halep is riding on the best form of her life and will run for hours if needed. Pennetta will have to conjure something special to beat this in form girl.

Pick: Halep in 2 sets

Yvonne Meusburger vs. Irina-Camelia Begu


Showing no signs of fatigue, last week's finalist Yvonne Meusburger ruthlessly dismissed her first round opponent with 2 bagels. This is a bad sign for Begu, who has done almost nothing this season. Meusburger's form is continuing and Begu is likely to be the next victim. With tournament favourites like Andrea Petkovic and Mona Barthel out in the early rounds, Yvonne might very well end up with her first tour title here.

Pick: Meusburger in 2 sets

Arantxa Rus vs. Estrella Cabeza Candela


Arantxa Rus finally wins a match! She stops her main tour losing streak at 13, winning zero matches on the main tour this year. Sadly, her run is going to end against in form Cadela, who just reached her maiden semi-final last week in Palermo. Candela's clay court game will be too much for the impatient Dutch player. If Rus manages to win this, it will be a very positive sign that she is back to her normal level.

Pick: Candela in 2 sets

Sure win bets: Lesia Tsurenko, Serena Williams, Annika Beck
Upset alert: Irina-Camelia Begu, Chanelle Scheepers

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