Brisbane, Shenzhen, Auckland: Top seeds to cruise

Schedule:

Brisbane:

Monica Puig vs Angelique Kerber
Jarmila Gajdosova vs Lesia Tsurenko
Victoria Azarenka vs Sabine Lisicki 

Sloane Stephens vs Sofia Arvidsson

Shenzhen:

Kai-Chen Chang vs. Yi-Miao Zhou
Na Li vs. Julia Cohen
Stefanie Voegele vs. Marion Bartoli

Auckland:

Romina Oprandi vs. Yanina Wickmayer
Johanna Larsson vs. Julia Goerges
Jamie Hampton vs. Marina Erakovic
Agnieszka Radwanska vs. Simona Halep
Mona Barthel vs. Eleni Daniilidou
Elena Vesnina vs. Yaroslava Shvedova
Kiki Bertens vs. Heather Watson

Match focus:

Victoria Azarenka vs Sabine Lisicki

Victoria Azarenka opens her Brisbane campaign with a match against the hard hitting German, Sabine Lisicki. Sabine did well to win her first match after a dreadful end to her last season. However, Azarenka is a different story. I am very sure Azarenka is determined to replicate her success last year and cement her status as WTA's top player. And Lisicki is too erratic to really trouble Azarenka.

Pick: Azarenka in 2 sets

Agnieszka Radwanska vs. Simona Halep

Agnieszka Radwanska looks to add another small international title to her resume as she tackles Simona Halep in her 2nd round. They have met before in Brussels last year and Radwanska bested Halep despite clay being her worst surface and Simona's best. On hard courts, the difference will be more significant as Radwanska will look to take the ball early and take time away from the Romanian. Shouldn't be a problem for the top seed.

Pick: Radwanska in 2 easy sets

Na Li vs. Julia Cohen

Li Na was impressive in her first round match against Minella, shaking of the rust after the first set. She should have zero problems handling the puff balls of Julia Cohen. Frankly speaking, Cohen shouldn't even be here. It should be Bratchikova, who choked so badly that she had a breakdown on court. The Chinese fans will definitely be behind Li, who will coast to victory in last than an hour.

Pick: Li in 2 easy sets

Sure win bets: Li Na, Angelique Kerber, Agnieszka Radwanska

Upset alert: Lesia Tsurenko, Yanina Wickmayer, Heather Watson