Alisa Kleybanova def. Monica Puig 6-4 3-6 7-5
I am sure Alisa is as shocked as I am, winning a long 3 set match against a young teenager. Puig seemed to be on the fast track to tennis stardom, but is showing signs of mental frailty early in her career. The focus though shouldn't be on Puig. It should be on the courageous comeback of Kleybanova. She not only conquered cancer, but conquer a future tennis star as well. Any win for her is a bonus. Well done Alisa!
Schedule of play:
http://www.usopen.org/en_US/scores/schedule/index.html?promo=subnav
Match focus:
Svetlana Kuznetsova vs. Mallory Burdette
Ever since being forced out of Wimbledon, Kuznetsova is barely winning matches. Can she overcome her demons here against Burdette? Mallory has a handy game but if Kuznetsova isn't at her brainfart best, the Russian can defeat the American easily. However, Kuznetsova's double loss to Davis a few weeks ago shows that her fickle mind is back in full force and Burdette has a good chance of clinching the upset here.
Pick: Burdette in 3 sets
Bojana Jovanovski vs. Andrea Petkovic
For someone to lose to the slumping Julia Goerges, it must mean she is almost a walking bye. That is how I will describe Bojana Jovanovski. The Serb does tend to perform well in big events though, so she might wake up for this event. Petkovic will not allow her to do that as the German looks to be fully healthy now and ready to charge up the rankings again. I would say she is a sure win, but who know? Even Arvidsson won a match yesterday!
Pick: Petkovic in 2 sets
Nadia Petrova vs. Julia Glushko
I'll be honest here, I've never seen Glushko hit a single ball before. However, against Petrova, who hasn't played since Wimbledon and hasn't won a match since Madrid, anyone would stand a chance. Not too sure what is going on with the Russian. Maybe a loss of motivation? Or concentration on doubles? Nobody knows. She's barely trying so I think she will hang up her racket at the end of the year. Pity as she did have a good chance of re-entering the top 10 earlier this year.
Pick: Glushko in 2 sets
Julia Goerges vs. Christina McHale
This match between 2 slumping players will be equivalent to choosing your poison. Goerges and McHale had disastrous seasons so far, and one of them is going to get worst. Goerges did win a match in New Haven recently, and enjoyed some doubles success. So she should be the lesser of 2 evils. Not too sure why McHale is regressing so much. Maybe she is suffering from burnout, or she needs a new coach.
Pick: Goerges in 3 sets
Peng Shuai vs. Yvonne Meusburger
One of WTA's most mystical players, Yvonne Meusburger went missing after winning her first title in Bad Gastein. Normally, players will take advantage of the better ranking to get more practice before the Slams, but the Austrian just disappeared. Her good form might be gone by the time she gets on court, moreover on a different surface. Not too sure about her crazy schedule... Peng was leading Wozniacki before having to retire due to dizziness. She should be able to dominate against the rather passive Yvonne and complete the match without fainting.
Pick: Peng in 2 sets
Sure win bets: Samantha Stosur, Victoria Azarenka, Sara Errani, Alize Cornet, Simona Halep
Upset alert: Tsvetana Pironkova, Casey Dellacqua, Nadia Petrova, Klara Zakopalova, Jana Cepelova
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