Bucharest, Bad Gastein final: Who is Shelby Rogers?

Bucharest final:

Simona Halep vs. Roberta Vinci

Simona faced a much more difficult semi-final than expected against Niculescu, but nevertheless finished the job. The level that Simona is playing is so high that she can go on a walkabout for a set, and regain her composure almost immediately. There is no doubt Vinci is a better player that Niculescu, but Simona's form is unforgiving. Roberta has already exceeded expectations by reaching her first tour final this year, so she will be satisfied. She may get a set if she plays clean tennis, but Simona is not going to lose in front of her home crowd.

Pick: Halep in 2 sets

Andrea Petkovic vs. Shelby Rogers

Finally watched Shelby Rogers play and boy is she a hard hitter. I doubt point construction goes through her mind as she just blasts every single ball at full force.The few times that Errani hit the ball out of her strike zone, her movement was laboured. Nevertheless, the American can ate up Errani's useless serve and deservingly won her match. Petkovic's game won't have that glaring weakness, and I'm sure Andrea will be smart enough to make Shelby move. Besides, her final debut will definitely be a jittery affair. I hope don't jinx her, but Petkovic should be able to cruise through this.

Pick: Petkovic in 2 sets

Bucharest, Bad Gastein SF: All Romanian clash

Bucharest schedule:

http://www.wtatennis.com/schedule/tournamentId/3823/title/bucharest-open--bucharest-romania

Bad Gastein schedule:

http://www.wtatennis.com/schedule/tournamentId/1340/title/nurnberger-gastein-ladies

Match focus:

Kristina Kucova vs. Roberta Vinci

Roberta reaches her first semi-final on tour this season, and will be the favourite to advance to the final. Kristina has had a relatively easy draw to this stage, the only respectable opponent she defeated was Anna Schmiedlova. Not to say that the Slovak doesn't have a good game, but this is brand new territory for her. Vinci, with her vast experience, should be able to contain the raw game of Kucova.

Pick: Vinci in 2 sets

Simona Halep vs. Monica Niculescu

 

The stands should be packed with Romanian fans as these 2 vie for a place in the final. Halep is obviously the overwhelming favourite here, but Monica can irritate Simona if she's not too sharp. Halep winning the title will be the perfect ending that this tournament needs, so I believe the pressure will be on the world number 3. Nevertheless, Simona has barely been tested this week, so I believe she will cruise pass this as well.

Pick: Halep in 2 sets

Grace Min vs. Andrea Petkovic

Grace Min advances to her first career semi-final here, but will face the daunting task of toppling experienced Andrea Petkovic. The German has been enjoying a great clay season, and will most likely make the finals here. Grace was lucky that Flavia withdrew, paving the way for her easy passage here. Petkovic's game should be too much for the inexperienced Min to handle.

Pick: Petkovic in 2 sets

Shelby Rogers vs. Sara Errani

Well, Giorgi couldn't find the court yesterday, robbing us of a chance of an all-Italian clash. Shelby possesses a good serve, but her ground game is not as good, so I expect Errani to lap it up. The tireless Italian will take advantage of the compromised movement from the American, and show her how real clay court tennis is played. Also, it's also too much to ask of Shelby to reach her first final in her first semi-final appearance.

Pick: Errani in 2 sets

Bucharest, Bad Gastein QF: Another deep run for Giorgi

Bucharest schedule of play:

http://www.wtatennis.com/schedule/tournamentId/3823/title/bucharest-open--bucharest-romania

Bad Gastein schedule of play:

http://www.wtatennis.com/schedule/tournamentId/1340/title/nurnberger-gastein-ladies

Match focus:

Petra Cetkovska vs. Roberta Vinci

Vinci fought off an in form Silvia Soler Espinosa in 3 sets, announcing that she's almost back to her normal form. When Vinci is playing well, she is clearly the favourite with her all court game. Nevertheless, Cetkovska cannot be underestimated as she possess a nice all court game as well. It all boils down to whether her mind allows her to play the correct shots. I believe Roberta will be the favourite to win given she has 2 solid wins over clay courters. Petra's game is more suited for faster surfaces, so it'll be tough for her to win short points.

Pick: Vinci in 2 sets

Monica Niculescu vs. Polona Hercog

Playing in her home country clearly has inspired Monica Niculescu to play some of her best tennis. She has been slumping this year, and to reach the quarter-finals here is an achievement in itself. Polona thrives on the red clay though, so she will be eager to silence the Romanian fans. Given how much junk balls Niculescu is able to generate, Polona must not be frustrated by those weird balls. The Slovenian can instead create some wicked junk herself with her funky backhand slice. Polona has the more mature clay game, and I think she is the favourite here.

Pick: Hercog in 3 sets

Camila Giorgi vs. Shelby Rogers

Not too sure what happened to Carla, but we were robbed of an intriguing match up between Navarro and Giorgi. Instead, Shelby Rogers takes her place in her first main draw quarter-final appearance. To be honest, I have never seen Shelby play before, but judging by her appearance, I'm sure she's not a retriever. Giorgi must be happy that she's not facing Carla, and she will be anxious to take advantage of Shelby's movement limitations. Looks like we have another deep run for the cute Italian.

Pick: Giorgi in 2 sets

Bucharest, Bad Gastein day 4: Vinci's return of form?

Bucharest schedule of play:

http://www.wtatennis.com/schedule/tournamentId/3823/title/bucharest-open--bucharest-romania

Bad Gastein schedule of play:

http://www.wtatennis.com/schedule/tournamentId/1340/title/nurnberger-gastein-ladies

Match focus:

Silvia Soler Espinosa vs. Roberta Vinci

Just when you think that Vinci will never recover her form, she plays an excellent match against Dulgheru to win without much fuss. Is this a sign that the Vinci we know is back? This match will be a good indicator of her level now, as Silvia is a decent clay-courter who thrives on this surface. If Roberta is able to win this easily, I believe she's back to her good form. I wouldn't bet on an easy win though, as Roberta is still a bit low in confidence.

Pick: Vinci in 3 sets

Petra Cetkovska vs. Kiki Bertens

Both players experienced the highs and lows of dropping down the rankings and picking up the pieces. Right now, I would think Bertens is the one with more confidence with her 4th round showing in Paris. Cetkovska has a tendency to give up and play casual loose shots if she's not confident, so I don't expect a pretty match. However, Kiki might be tired from playing so many matches all the way from qualifying. Pretty even match, but the younger Dutch should have the edge.

Pick: Bertens in 3 sets

Yvonne Meusburger vs. Chanelle Scheepers

Defending champion Meusburger will be eager to defend her title right in her own country Austria. Can Chanelle stop the steady Austrian from repeating? On clay, I will give the advantage to Yvonne. Chanelle's flat strokes loses its sting on the slow surface, and Yvonne will run them down and make Chanelle hit that extra ball. I don't think Chanelle is patient enough to construct points, so Yvonne should be able to advance.

Pick: Meusburger in 2 sets

Sure win bets: Karin Knapp, Camila Giorgi, Carla Suarez Navarro
Upset alert: Petra Cetkovska,

Bucharest, Bad Gastein day 2: One hit wonders

Bucharest schedule of play:

http://www.wtatennis.com/schedule/tournamentId/3823/title/bucharest-open--bucharest-romania

Bad Gastein schedule of play:

http://www.wtatennis.com/schedule/tournamentId/1340/title/nurnberger-gastein-ladies

Match focus:

Petra Cetkovska vs. Alexandra Cadantu

Surprisingly, Cadantu has only won a grand total of one match on clay this season. For someone who thrives on this surface, it's baffling to see that statistic. Her sole win was against a lowly ranked wildcard, which makes it even shocking. Looks like Petra can avenge her Czech Republic's (Koukalova) loss to Romania (Niculescu) here.

Pick: Cetkovska in 2 sets

Andrea Petkovic vs. Jana Cepelova

Talk about losing steam. Cepelova went into a downward spiral after Charleston, winning only 1 match since. Looks like the youngster couldn't handle the pressure of defeating the world number 1, and just lost her belief. She will face another uphill task as Petkovic is fresh of her semi-final appearance in Paris and won their last encounter right there in Charleston. The German was a former champion here, and I believe she will be the firm favourite while Cepelova continues to sink further.

Pick: Petkovic in 2 sets

Jovana Jaksic vs. Paula Ormaechea

Another one hit wonder, Jovana Jaksic found it hard to back up her run in Monterrey. Although she had a great eun, I thought that Jaksic was just lucky to reach the finals. Her game is just not good enough to be in the top 100. Paula is an experience dirt-baller, so she should capitalise on this kind draw easily. Unless Paula is bothered by Jovana's banshee shrieks.

Pick: Ormaechea in 2 sets



Sure win bets: Karin Knapp, Carla Suarez Navarro, Sara Errani
Upset alert: Katarzyna Piter, Chanelle Scheepers

Bucharest, Bad Gastein day 1: Clay anyone?

Bucharest schedule of play:

http://www.wtatennis.com/schedule/tournamentId/3823/title/bucharest-open--bucharest-romania

Bad Gastein schedule of play:

http://www.wtatennis.com/schedule/tournamentId/1340/title/nurnberger-gastein-ladies

Match focus:

Klara Koukalova vs. Monica Niculescu

Doubles partners face off in this intriguing encounter. Monica's suffering from a dip in form in recent months, but will be eager to play well in her home country Romania. It will be tough facing Klara, as she's higher ranked and her doubles partner. However, there's a chance that the home crowd will get to Klara and make her bothered. If Klara gives up, Niculescu can win this. I think this will be a close match, with Klara emerging the winner though.

Pick: Koukalova in 3 sets

Flavia Pennetta vs. Grace Min

It seems that winning Indian Wells did more harm than good to Pennetta. She has been struggling mightily since then, and suffered humiliating exits in both Roland Garros and Wimbledon. On clay, Flavia should be the favourite, but with her current form, I cannot be sure. Grace Min hits well and can challenge players, but her mental strength is still an unknown. Flavia should be able to win this despite her recent dip in form. If she loses this, I will be very worried.

Pick: Pennetta in 2 sets

Stefanie Voegele vs. Julia Goerges

The good news for Julia is that she's playing close matches with top players, but she just couldn't get the win. For Voegele, the Swiss is barely winning matches against anyone of note, so Goerges can relax a bit. Besides, this is on her preferred red clay surface, which suits her long swinging strokes. However, you just never know which Julia will turn up, so I think this will go to 3 sets.

Pick: Goerges in 3 sets

Sure win bets: Flavia Pennetta, Annika Beck
Upset alert: Nadiia Kichenok, Anna Schmiedlova