Brisbane, Shenzhen, Auckland: No snacks allowed

Brisbane:

Sara Errani vs. Daniela Hantuchova
Serena Williams vs. Alize Cornet
Petra Kvitova vs. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova
Urszula Radwanska vs. Ksenia Pervak

Shenzhen:

Klara Zakopalova vs. Elina Svitolina
Jessica Pegula vs. Jelena Jankovic
Na Li vs. Mandy Minella
Ayumi Morita vs. Shuai Peng
Su-Wei Hsieh vs. Annika Beck
Ying-Ying Duan vs. Bojana Jovanovski
Laura Robson vs. Monica Niculescu

Auckland:

Lara Arrubarrena-Vecino vs. Yaroslava Shvedova

Agnieszka Radwanska vs. Greta Arn
Stephanie Dubois vs. Marina Erakovic
Anastasija Sevastova vs. Julia Goerges
Heather Watson vs. Sorana Cirstea
Nudnida Luangnam vs. Romina Oprandi
Mona Barthel vs. Grace Min

Match focus:

Petra Kvitova vs. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova

Kvitova doesn't look to be in her best shape in her opening match. This clash would be interesting as Pavlyuchenkova hits a good ball and will make Kvitova move around the court. The problem with both these girls is their mobility. If they improved on this area, they have the chance to dominate the sport. Pavlyuchenkova should trouble Petra, but not enough for the win. In the meantime, keep the snacks away from these 2 girls.

Pick: Kvitova in 3 sets

Laura Robson vs. Monica Niculescu

Newcomer of the year, Laura Robson, meets the queen of junk balls, Monica Niculescu. Monica's crazy slices and spins will take away all of Robson's rhythm, and Laura is one who feeds off this. This is a very good test for the teen on how to handle different types of game on the tour and not only play at one pace. I believe Robson will take some time to adjust to Niculescu's balls but will emerge the winner eventually.

Heather Watson vs. Sorana Cirstea

One of the most brainless ballbashers on tour, Sorana will face the opposite of what she does, a player who brings a lot of balls back. Watson is coming off a high after winning in Seoul late last year and looks to continue her winning ways here in Auckland. Sorana's game plan has never deviated and Watson's gameplan should be simple: wait for her to miss. Unless Cirstea is having one of her unmissable days, no prize for guessing who I'm picking.

Pick: Watson in 2 tight sets

Sure win bets: Serena Williams, Jelena Jankovic, Agnieszka Radwanska

Upset alerts: Urzsula Radwanska, Bojana Jovanovski, Sorana Cirstes