Hobart F: Another qualifier takes the crown

Hobart F:

Garbine Muguruza def. Klara Zakopalova 6-4 6-0

Perhaps inspired by Pironkova's Sydney run, Muguruza made a fairytale run of her own all the way from qualifying to clinch the Hobart title in dominant style. The aggressive Spaniad not only claims her first title, but also shows the tour that she is well recovered from her previous career threatening injury. Garbine plays different from the usual Spanish players with her huge serve and groundstrokes. She had been poised to breakthrough but injuries almost derailed her. It's nice to see that another player has beaten the odds and finally accomplished something to be proud of. As for Klara, another final loss for the veteran. The pressure of winning a title is just too much for the experienced player. Let's hope she can overcome this hurdle sometime this year, because she's a joy to watch when she's clicking.

Sydney F, Hobart SF: Against all odds

Sydney final:

Tsvetana Pironkova vs. Angelique Kerber

Coming through qualifying, Pironkova continues her fairy tale run by upsetting Kvitova in straight sets. What is amazing about her accomplishment is that she has already played 7 matches so far and was able to take out players with vast different game styles, ie. Errani and then Kvitova. She will have her hands full with Kerber, whose defensive game has an added aggressive side now. The German has increased her aggressiveness this year and is the favourite to take the title. Pironkova should be very satisfied with her first final appearance, and go down meekly to the pesky German.

Pick: Kerber in 2 sets

Hobart SF:

Samantha Stosur vs. Klara Zakopalova

Looks like Stosur really tuned her mind to tell herself that she's not in Australia. Taking out the dangerous Jovanovski easily, she faces another flat hitter in Zakopalova. Sam's top spin shots will be sitting nicely for Zakopalova to slam for winners. The Aussie will need to serve well, and punish the Czech's weaker serve. As with Samantha, you'll never know which player will come out to play. But if she plays to her normal standard, Stosur should be able to edge out Klara.

Pick: Stosur in 3 sets

Estrella Cabeza Candela vs. Gabine Muguruza

Nobody would have expected these 2 Spaniards to be facing each other for a place in the finals. Whoever wins here will make their first final appearance, so a few jitters is expected. Candela's game is more suited for the clay courts, while Muguruza's aggressive game is more lethal on hard courts. With more main draw appearances, Garbine has the game and the experience to win this winnable match. She just needs to calm those nerves and play her usual game.

Pick: Muguruza in 2 sets

Sydney SF, Hobart QF: Surprise package Pironkova

Sydney SF:

Tsvetana Pironkova vs. Petra Kvitova

After a disastrous 2013, nobody would have expected Pironkova to rise from the ashes again. The Bulgarian is out to prove everyone wrong as she upsets the ever steady Errani to reach her first semi-final since... I honestly have no idea. She will face an uphill task against Kvitova though, as the Czech looks to be in top form in her dismissal of Safarova. Pironkova will need to keep her first serve percentage up to have a chance, as Petra will thump her weak second serves for winners.

Pick: Kvitova in 2 sets

Madison Keys vs. Angelique Kerber

Madison Keys first broke through here last year and she seems to be in love with this tournament as she advances to her first Premier semi-final. Even though she didn't complete her quarter-final match, she deserves to be here with her improved consistency. The American will need to use all of her court sense to outhit the gritty German. Kerber's retrieving game can be undone by smart power players, kind of like how Mattek Sands took out Radwanska. Keys will need to know when to pull the trigger. Given that this is her first semi-final appearance, I doubt Keys is ready to snatch the win away from Angelique. I might be close, but the German will emerge victorious.

Pick: Kerber in 3 sets

Hobart QF:

Samantha Stosur vs. Bojana Jovanovski

Samantha is just plain lucky to be still in this tournament. She needs a hypnotherapist to get her to think she's not playing in Australia. In her homeland, she folds like a cheap tent. Against lesser opponents, she got out of jail twice. But against the hard hitting Jovanovski, she should be shown the door now. Sadly, she's like the modern Mauresmo, who always had to live up to heavy expectations in their home slam, and fail miserably every time.

Pick: Jovanovski in 2 sets

Sure win bets: Petra Kvitova, Kirsten Flipkens, Monica Niculescu
Upset alert: Klara Zakopalova, Samantha Stosur

Sydney, Hobart day 3: Wozniacki in trouble

Sydney schedule:

http://www.wtatennis.com/schedule/tournamentId/636/title/apia-international-sydney

Hobart schedule:

http://www.wtatennis.com/schedule/tournamentId/415/title/hobart-international

Match focus:

Caroline Wozniacki vs. Lucie Safarova

Against a less than 100% Goerges, Wozniacki barely crept through her first round. I expect a beatdown from Safarova if she continues her dire form. Lucie has beaten the Dane before, so it wouldn't be a surprise if she repeats again. I am sure there's more to life than tennis, but if the player is more interested in her off court endeavors, maybe she should concentrate on that instead of tennis.

Pick: Safarova in 2 sets

Agnieszka Radwanska vs. Bethanie Mattek-Sands

For anyone to beat Radwanska, you have to take risks as you cannot possibly be more consistent than the Pole. That is why Bethanie Mattek-Sands actually stands a chance against the number 1 seed. The American's ultra aggressive game will cause trouble for the crafty Pole, but if the scoreline gets tight, Agnieszka superior ice-queen stability will win her the match.

Pick: Radwanska in 2 tight sets

Monica Puig vs. Elena Vesnina

Defending champion Vesnina will face the young and talented Monica Puig in her opening match. This will be a gauge of how Puig will perform for the rest of the year to be honest. Last year, Monica showed that she had the game, but lacked the killer instinct to close out matches. And it was apparently in her matches, with 3 set losses and weird unexplained dips in form. If Monica has improved her mental game, she will be able to best Vesnina and maybe cement her place in the top 20 this year. If not, she's going to be a relatively well ranked player who can spring an upset or two, but never good enough for the big leagues.

Pick: Vesnina in 3 sets

Sure win bets: Madison Keys, Sara Errani, Bojana Jovanovski
Upset alert: Caroline Wozniacki, Carla Suarez Navarro, Alison Riske

Sydney, Hobart day 2: Tough opening for Kerber

Sydney schedule:

http://www.wtatennis.com/schedule/tournamentId/636/title/apia-international-sydney

Hobart schedule:

http://www.wtatennis.com/schedule/tournamentId/415/title/hobart-international

Match focus:

Dominika Cibulkova vs. Angelique Kerber

One of the highest ranked non-seeded players, Cibulkova is a dangerous floater for anyone. Last year's finalist will attempt to overpower the feisty Kerber in their first round match. What's working against the German is her poor head to heads against Cibulkova. The Slovak leads 4-0, including a win here last year in Sydney. With that in mind, Dominika will be confident of her chance against the 5th seed. Kerber tends to start her year slow, so I wouldn't be surprised if she crashes out early.

Pick: Cibulkova in 3 sets

Caroline Wozniacki vs. Julia Goerges

Caroline Wozniacki's off court activities might be distracting her from fulfilling her full potential. Being recently engaged, I'm not too sure how much work she put in during off season. Against the dreadful Julia Goerges, Caroline should have a soft match to start her tennis season. Not to mention that Julia retired in her final round of qualifying, so I'm not too sure how she will be able to play this match fully fit. It won't be a pretty match, but the steady player will win.

Pick: Wozniacki in 2 sets

Marina Erakovic vs. Kirsten Flipkens

In my opinion, Flipkens and Erakovic play a similar game. Kirsten is helped by the fact that she is higher ranked and has more confidence. Marina dropped out of her home tournament early, so she needs to get over that disappointment. The New Zealander has a chance of upsetting the Belgian, but I think she will be too eager to end points, resulting in numerous errors.

Pick: Flipkens in 3 sets

Sure win bets: Kaia Kanepi, Alize Cornet, Samantha Stosur
Upset alert: Angelique Kerber, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Klara Zakopalova