Alison Riske def. Petra Kvitova 6-3 6-0
2 big upsets yesterday, but Wozniacki losing to another big hitter isn't much of a surprise these days. Kvitova's loss is baffling as she just couldn't make a match against the lowly ranked Riske. With such a big serve, Kvitova couldn't hold her serve at all and couldn't even get on the scoreboard for the 2nd set. Somebody is wasting her talents away and she's doing nothing about it. Hopefully this is the rude awakening she needs to get herself back into shape. If not, I expect Petra to become another Ivanovic, a consistent top 20 player who can never win against the top players.
Match focus:
Serena Williams vs. Sloane Stephens
If there is anyone who you should not mess around, it's Serena Williams. Sloane Stephens has already riled up Serena after her win over her in Melbourne and left some scathing remarks about her senior. Williams will be hungry for blood this time. This ought to teach Sloane a lesson about respect. No matter how snobbish Serena is, she has the right to be as she is one of the legends. Being disrespectful is plain silly as Sloane has achieved nothing yet.
Pick: Williams in 2 dominating sets
Jelena Jankovic vs. Li Na
So far, Jankovic has handled her dangerous opponents very well. However, she did struggle a bit against surprise package, Kurumi Nara, so Li should be the slight favourite here. The Serb's game is been improving throughout the year, and Li needs to be careful not to be drawn into long rallies with her. Li needs to step it up and boss Jankovic around. These 2 friends always have compelling matches, so I expect the same here.
Pick: Li in 3 sets
Carla Suarez Navarro vs. Angelique Kerber
Kerber hasn't been in good form throughout the warm-up tournaments and it's obvious she saved the best for last. Overcoming tough opponents, she is just one match away from the quarter-finals. She will face the talented Spaniard, Carla Suarez Navarro, who also peaked for this tournament. Always the fighter, Kerber will like her chances against the somehow mentally weak Carla. If she can hang on and stay with Carla, the lower ranked player will commit the error.
Pick: Kerber in 3 sets
Agnieszka Radwanska vs. Ekaterina Makarova
Steady Radwanska is the absolute favourite to routine Makarova, whose movement isn't the best in the game. The stingy Pole will be almost error-less, and Makarova needs to hit 3 winners in a point to win it. Tough task for the Russian. However, if she has an inspired day, the Pole might lose a set. Still, it's difficult to sustain that level for the whole match.
Pick: Radwanska in 2 sets
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