Linz, Osaka, Tianjin day 4: All Aussie clash in Japan

Linz schedule of play:

http://www.wtatennis.com/schedule/tournamentId/461/title/generali-ladies-linz

Osaka schedule of play:

http://www.wtatennis.com/schedule/tournamentId/340/title/japan-womens-open-tennis

Tianjin schedule of play:

http://www.wtatennis.com/schedule/tournamentId/3783/title/tianjin-open--tianjin-china

Match focus:

Magdalena Rybarikova vs. Karin Knapp

Karin Knapp had a great close match with Sharapova in Melbourne, and she carried her momentum onlwards with a few good matches thereafter. However, she fell off the radar soon and was losing every match in sight. She finally recaptured her form with a title run in Tashkent, and now with an upset win over Lisicki. Rybarikova also had an uneven year, from upsetting Simona Halep to losing to Misa Eguchi. The Slovak might also be carrying an injury, having retired from her last two tournaments. So I believe Knapp has what it takes to win this. The Italian has heavy groundstrokes and a big serve. If she can attack Magdalena's vulnerable backhand, she has a good chance.

Pick: Knapp in 3 sets

Samantha Stosur vs. Jarmila Gajdosova

Stosur had a good run in Beijing, and will be eager to defend her title here in Osaka. The Aussie has a ton of points to defend, having won here last year, and reaching the finals of Moscow and Sofia after. The pressure will definitely be on her, that's why Gajdosova has a chance. Jarmila is slowly regaining back her form after almost 2 years of personal problems. If she plays with no fear, she has the game to derail the higher ranked Aussie, having beaten her before. Jarmila needs this more, so I'm going with the upset here.

Pick: Gajdosova in 3 sets

Jelena Jankovic vs. Zheng Saisai

With her worrying back injury, Jankovic might just withdraw before this match happens. Nevertheless, if she takes on Zheng Saisai, it might not be as straightforward as believed. Zheng has the partisan Chinese crowd behind her, and with Jelena's compromised movement and serve, she might very well cause an upset here. Jelena should really rest up for this season, as she does seem to be mentally exhausted, losing matches she's supposed to win for the latter part of the year.

Pick: Zheng in 3 sets

Sure win bets: Peng Shuai, Lauren Davis, Zarina Diyas, Jana Cepelova, Karolina Pliskova
Upset alerts: Jelena Jankovic, Samantha Stosur, Zhang Shuai, Magdalena Rybarikova

Kuala Lumpur day 2: Depleted field

Schedule of play:

http://www.wtatennis.com/schedule/tournamentId/1761/title/bmw-malaysian-open

Match focus:

Hsieh Su-Wei vs. Jarmila Gajdosova

It's tough to believe that Hsieh was a former winner here 2 years ago. The Taiwanese had a breakout year in 2012, but has since slumped terribly, barely winning matches. She will try to recapture her former glory here, but will face former top 30 player Jarmila Gajdosova. The Australian can beat anyone on her good day, but is always let down by her impatience and wrong shot selection. Jarmila also had good results here, reaching the semi-finals here in 2010. If she keeps her cool, she has a winnable match here. Hsieh's shots will not be penetrative enough to trouble Jarmila.

Pick: Gajdosova in 2 tight sets

Donna Vekic vs. Chan Yung-Jan

Donna has been hitting the ball recently, and I wouldn't be surprised if she goes far here. She will face the hard hitting Chan in her first round. Chan's ball striking ability is fantastic, but is let down by her lack of fitness conditioning. If she sheds her excess weight, I'm sure her results will be much more better. However, she has been maintaining this weight for several years, so I don't believe she has the drive or belief to improve herself. Vekic should be able to take advantage of Chan's lack of movement to cruise to an easy victory.

Pick: Vekic in 2 sets

Zheng Saisai vs. Zhang Shuai

In this all Chinese battle, 2nd seed Zhang Shuai will face former youth Olympic champion Zheng Saisai. Zhang has been nursing an injury since Acapulco and might not be 100%. It is up to Zheng to test the injury and pounce on any chance that Zhang gives. Saisai has a scrappy game, and she needs to tire Zhang and make her hit the errors. The only worry for Saisai is that she tends to choke away close matches. Let's see if she can hold her nerve this time.

Pick: Zheng in 3 sets

Sure win bets: Olga Savchuk, Kimiko Date-Krumm, Patricia Mayr-Achleitner
Upset alert: Tadeja Majeric, Hsieh Su-Wei, Timea Babos

Charleston, Monterrey day 1: Tough test for Kirilenko

Charleston schedule of play:

http://www.wtatennis.com/schedule/tournamentId/738/title/family-circle-cup

Monterrey schedule of play:

http://www.wtatennis.com/schedule/tournamentId/1471/title/monterrey-open

Match focus:

Maria Kirilenko vs. Belinda Bencic

Fresh from her injury layoff, Kirilenko will be put to the test immediately against rising Belinda Bencic. The Swiss will be sure to make Kirilenko move around the court and test if her knee is back to 100%. I don't think Kirilenko will make it through here immediately. She needs a softer draw and maybe a lower tier event to warm herself up. This is a golden chance for Bencic to get a good win over a good opponent.

Pick: Bencic in 2 sets

Julia Goerges vs. Virginie Razzano

Goerges had only one good win this year, which is over Errani in Melbourne. She went back to her errant ways since then and looks to be happy with her mediocrity. Razzano is a dangerous player and these 2 had a close match in 2009, where Julia won in a third set tiebreak. With the German's non-existent form now, Razzano should be able to bag this. Still, you'll never know which Julia Goerges will turn up.

Pick: Razzano in 3 sets

Elina Svitolina vs. Jarmila Gajdosova

Jarmila has been hounded by personal problems for the past 2 years, and it's nice to see her qualify for the main draw. However, she faces a tough match against Svitolina, who is in the form of her life. It will be difficult for the Aussie to break down Elina, unless she has an off day. Elina should be able to cruise to an easy victory here.

Pick: Svitolina in 2 sets

Flavia Pennetta vs. Kimiko Date-Krumm

Flavia is playing the best tennis of her career now, and it will take a lot for Kimiko to upset her. The Japanese does have what it takes to trouble her, but the Italian's fitness should be able to wear Date down. Flavia has a nice draw here and it will be a surprise if she doesn't make the finals.

Pick: Pennetta in 2 sets

Garbine Muguruza vs. Donna Vekic

After her massive choke against Zakopalova in Florianopolis, Garbine was never the same player. She lost both her opening matches in Indian Wells and Miami, choking against Tomljanovic in Key Biscayne. Donna will give her a good fight here, having played herself to form in the US tournaments. The Spaniard will need to steady herself here, or else this might spiral into a losing streak.

Pick: Vekic in 3 tight sets

Sure win bets: Karolina Pliskova, Timea Babos, Lauren Davis, Lucie Safarova, Christina McHale
Upset alert: Kristina Mladenovic, Garbine Muguruza, Maria Kirilenko, Michelle Larcher De Brito, Yaroslava Shvedova