Sunday 17 August 2014

New Haven day 2: Last min preparation before the big one

Schedule of play:

http://www.wtatennis.com/schedule/tournamentId/535/title/connecticut-open

Match focus:

Dominika Cibulkova vs. Andrea Petkovic


The American hard court season is normally where Cibulkova excels. However, this year, she is in absolutely horrific form, winning only 1 match against an unheralded Abanda. Looks like her woes will continue against Andrea Petkovic, who is playing good tennis once again. Not too sure what's bothering Dominika, but she needs to either take a break to regroup herself, or get a new coach. The constant losing will not be good on her mental game.

Pick: Petkovic in 2 sets

Garbine Muguruza vs. Sara Errani


Like Cibulkova, Errani has been struggling for the American hardcourt swing. She will face another hard-hitter, Muguruza after being ousted twice by Lisicki. Muguruza might not serve as hard as the German, but she can hit a mean ball from the ground. Sara will need to be patient and make Garbine commit the error. The good thing for Sara is that Garbine can lose to grinders, as evidenced by her puzzling loss to Annika Beck last week. Sara's game is better than Beck's, so the Italian looks poised to win another match here.

Pick: Errani in 3 sets

Bojana Jovanovski vs. Eugenie Bouchard


Major alarm bells will ring if Bouchard manages to lose this one. The hyped-up Canadian hasn't won a match so far in the American hard court season, so she has to prove herself here against Jovanovski. To be fair, Eugenie only played badly against Shelby Rogers, while Kuznetsova is always a dangerous opponent. So I believe Eugenie will right the ship and cruise to an easy victory here. If she manages to lose this, it will seem like she has crumbled under the heavy expecations laid upon her.

Pick: Bouchard in 2 sets

Sure win bets: Kirsten Flipkens, Elina Svitolina, Caroline Wozniacki
Upset alert: Dominika Cibulkova, Barbora Zahlavova Strycova, Magdalena Rybarikova


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