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

Strasbourg, Nurnberg SF: First time winner in Strasbourg

Christina McHale vs. Silvia Soler-Espinosa

With the Germans crashing out one after another yesterday, it is anyone's battle in Strasbourg now. McHale had been in a final once, in Acapulco this year, and lost narrowly to Cibulkova. She will most probably be in her 2nd final this year against Soler-Espinosa. The Spaniard had to play from qualifying to the semi-finals, and will no doubt be tired. Christina will not be as generous as Giorgi with her unforced errors, so she will be the hot favourite to reach the finals.

Pick: McHale in 2 sets

Madison Keys vs. Monica Puig

I was expecting an all German clash here, but Keys and Puig succeeded in upsetting their more accomplished opponents. Keys was down a break against Goerges in the third set, when she claimed the next 6 games to win the match. Looks like she's on a roll here on the red clay. Puig proved me wrong by staying strong mentally to upset Petkovic. It remains to be seen if she can replicate that performance here. In terms of mental toughness, I will still favour Keys. She has more experience in winning close matches and it's time that she reached her first tour final.

Pick: Keys in 2 sets

Karolina Pliskova vs. Elina Svitolina

With her impressive upset over Angelique Kerber, it is safe to say Pliskova is riding high on confidence. She will be bringing that forward into this match against Svitolina. These 2 have met once before, with Pliskova winning in 2 comfortable sets in 2011. I think the Czech will replicate that success as Elina had been on a 4 match losing streak prior to this event.

Pick: Pliskova in 2 sets

Karin Knapp vs. Eugenie Bouchard

Knapp snapped out of her losing ways with 3 good wins this tournament. She will now face the hot favourite, Eugenie Bouchard for her first tour final. Bouchard takes the ball very early, and will snatch time away from Knapp's long loopy strokes. Even though this is clay, Bouchard's flat strokes will cause some trouble as Karin's movement is not stellar. Eugenie should be heartened with her close win yesterday, and will carry that momentum towards this semi-finals.

Pick: Bouchard in 2 sets

Strasbourg, Nurnberg day 2: Intriguing match-ups in Strasbourg

Strasbourg schedule of play:

http://www.wtatennis.com/schedule/tournamentId/341/title/internationaux-de-strasbourg

Nurnberg schedule of play:

http://www.wtatennis.com/schedule/tournamentId/3204/title/n%FCrnberger-versicherungscup

Match focus:

Sloane Stephens vs. Julia Goerges

Sloane Stephens opens her Strasbourg campaign against a dangerous foe, Julia Goerges. The German has been showing signs of improvement lately, and is playing on her preferred surface, clay. The slow surface gives Julia enough time to set up her huge swings. Stephens has the tendency to take things too easily and I believe Julia will make her pay. The German just needs to concentrate and not give away too many loose errors.

Pick: Goerges in 2 sets

Camila Giorgi vs. Alize Cornet

Cornet will attempt to defend her title her, opening against the dangerous Giorgi. Camila has been on a roll lately, and she will be looking forward to bringing that form over here. Still, clay is not going to be Giorgi's best surface given the lack of patience from her. Thus, Cornet is still the favourite here. Players seem to have slumps after beating Serena Williams, and Cornet is no exception. She has done little after upsetting the world number 1, but she can turn things around here.

Pick: Cornet in 3 sets

Karin Knapp vs. Polona Hercog

Karin Knapp snaps her 8 match losing streak by winning a match here. A win over Shahar Peer is not very newsworthy nowadays, so it's a little premature to say that she's back. Polona Hercog is a clay court expert, and will definitely play well against the low-on-confidence Knapp. With her recent good runs on clay, I believe Hercog has this in the bag. Knapp can make things interesting though, but not enough for the win.

Pick: Hercog in 3 sets

Sure win bets: Peng Shuai, Andrea Petkovic, Angelique Kerber
Upset alert: Monica Puig, Stephanie Voegele, Kurumi Nara

Oeiras day 1: Strong field for small event

Schedule of play:

http://www.wtatennis.com/schedule/tournamentId/292/title/portugal-open

Match focus:

Yanina Wickmayer vs. Urszula Radwanska

 

 

Urszula Radwanska is just in dire need of a win and she might get a chance here. Wickmayer is very shaky for the past couple of years and her form fluctuates wildly. Gone are the days where she's a consistent top 30 player. Radwanska needs to be her normal scrappy self and frustrate the Belgian on the slow clay. If she succeeds, she might get her first win on the main tour this year. Still, I feel that Yanina will edge out the Pole in 3 tight sets.

 

Pick: Wickmayer in 3 sets

 

Bojana Jovanovski vs. Monica Puig

 

Jovanovski's form has been abysmal recently, so it will be a good opportunity for the young Puig to win here. Still, Monica is turning into a headcase as she wasted her best chance to reach her maiden semi-finals in Monterrey. Looks like all Bojana needs to do is to irritate the youngster. I am not hoping for much from Puig, just hopes that she makes this competitive. Maybe her success came too soon and she's not ready for it.

Pick: Jovanovski in 3 sets

Yaroslava Shvedova vs. Karin Knapp

Karin Knapp is on a 5 match losing streak and I don't see her ending it here. Yaroslava is a streaky player, and she has notched up a few wins recently. At this rate, she's going to beat the Italian and carry on her good form. Not sure what's happened to Karin but I guess the close loss to Sharapova stung for a long time. She needs to refocus and not dwell on the past. Because her favourite part of the season is here and she needs to be ready for it.

Pick: Shvedova in 2 sets



Melbourne day 4: Doubtful Sloane

Upset of the previous day:

Casey Dellacqua def. Kirsten Flipkens 6-3 6-0

After her dominant win over Laura Robson, one would have thought that Flipkens had settled into nice groove. However, the Belgian literally melted in the Australian heat to hand the match over to Casey. Credit to the Aussie though for playing well above her ranking suggests. With this win, Dellacqua makes her return to the top 100. As for Flipkens, she'd better start playing better because she has some huge points to defend in the coming months.

Schedule of play:

http://www.ausopen.com/en_AU/scores/schedule/index.html

Match focus:

Karin Knapp vs. Maria Sharapova

Sharapova wasn't her best form against Bethanie Mattek-Sands, but it was enough to get her through to the second round. She faces an easier opponent now in Karin Knapp. The Italian does hit a heavy ball, but Sharapova likes to smack the spinny balls for winners. I believe the Russian is slowing playing herself to form, and it will show with this demolition job.

Pick: Sharapova in 2 easy sets

Barbora Zahlavova Strycova vs. Victoria Azarenka

Barbora was once named as "one to watch" as the top junior had promising results. However, somewhere along the way, she became the player that everyone hated with her brattish and spoilt attitude. Azarenka isn't a saint as well, but she will appear to be the polite one in front of the Czech terror. Victoria didn't play well in her first match, so she has something to prove that she's the real deal. I expect an improved performance from her as well, with a straightforward win.

Pick: Azarenka in 2 easy sets

Alize Cornet vs. Camila Giorgi

The problem with players like Giorgi is that you'll never know which player will appear. One day she can be a world beater, but the next she can be as bad as a club player. Cornet's steady game is likely to come out the victor, but an inspired run of games might make this match closer than expected. I still expect Alize to win though, as her confidence is boosted by her Hopman Cup win.

Pick: Cornet in 3 sets

Sloane Stephens vs. Ajla Tomljanovic

Sloane Stephens struggled mightily against Yaroslava Shvedova, where both players seemed to have lost their serves. If Stephens continues her errant ways, she will fall victim to the young Ajla Tomljanovic. The Croatian had her breakthrough last year in Miami, and had already beaten Hantuchova this year. It seems like she's making her way up the rankings. If the American underestimates her opponent, she might be the first top 20 player Ajla beats. Let's see if the Croatian has the mental game to finish the job, but I believe Sloane will still scrape through.

Pick: Stephens in 3 sets

Sure win bets: Agnieszka Radwanska, Garbine Muguruza, Carla Suarez Navarro, Elina Svitolina, Jelena Jankovic
Upset alert: None

Luxembourg, Moscow day 4: No surprises?

Luxembourg schedule:

http://www.wtatennis.com/schedule/tournamentId/233/title/bgl-bnp-paribas-luxembourg-open

Moscow schedule:

http://www.wtatennis.com/schedule/tournamentId/664/title/kremlin-cup-by-bank-of-moscow

Match focus:

Karin Knapp vs. Andrea Petkovic

As predicted, Bouchard was undone by her intense travelling and Petkovic took advantage of that. The German will be the favourite against Karin Knapp, as she attempts to defend her finalist points. Karin's long swings will not be suitable in this fast indoor surface and Petkovic can flatten her strokes to great effect. Andrea just needs to concentrate and not let her mind go off focus as she is prone to these days.

Pick: Petkovic in 2 sets

Samantha Stosur vs. Alize Cornet

Stosur is enjoying a nice run of form recently and will be confident of her chances against Cornet. The Aussie has been on a winning streak and looks good to continue with her straightforward win over Kanepi. Stosur leads the heads to heads with Cornet 3-2, winning their last encounter a few weeks ago in Tokyo. If fatigue doesn't set in, I don't see why Samantha won't win this. Alize has always played Stosur close though, so it will be a close fight.

Pick: Stosur in 3 sets

Daniela Hantuchova vs. Vesna Dolonc

Hantuchova must thank a lot of players for taking out the seeded players for her. The seeds fell in US Open, where she took advantage and reach her first quarter-finals in 5 years. Now, Dolonc has done her a good deed by taking out Cibulkova, definitely a much tougher opponent than Dolonc. The Slovak has a winning record against Vesna, and will be poised to reach another quarter-finals here. The only thing going for Dolonc is that she's a former Russian. However, that may also be a negative as the fiercely patriotic Russian might see her as a traitor. Whoever the crowd supports, I believe Hantuchova has this in the bag.

Pick: Hantuchova in 2 sets

Sure win bets: Sabine Lisicki, Ana Ivanovic, Simona Halep
Upset alert: None

New Haven day 3: Sloane Stephens' title to lose?

Schedule:

Klara Zakopalova vs. Elena Vesnina
Simona Halep vs. Carla Suarez Navarro
Sara Errani vs. Ekaterina Makarova
Caroline Wozniacki vs. Karin Knapp
Alison Riske vs. Petra Kvitova
Sloane Stephens vs. Julia Goerges

Match focus:

Sara Errani vs. Ekaterina Makarova

Errani's not as effective here on hard courts, so Makarova has a chance of an upset here. The Russian just needs to serve well and plummet Errani's serves to take control of the point. Easier said than done though. One thing that's in the Russian's favour is that she did beat Errani in the doubles final of Paris. She knows she can overpower the Italian, she just needs to know when to pull the trigger.

Pick: Makarova in 3 sets

Caroline Wozniacki vs. Karin Knapp

Wozniacki really got out of jail in her first round against Peng. She should be weary of Karin Knapp, who knows Caroline isn't the force she used to be. Knapp has a good serve with clean groundstrokes. If she can impose her big game on the Dane, the former champion might be saying goodbye soon. However, I don't believe Knapp has the mental strength to finish the job. It will be close, but not enough.

Pick: Wozniacki in 3 sets

Sloane Stephens vs. Julia Goerges

Goerges actually won a match! Jovanovski should hang her head in shame. Sloane Stephens's path to the title looks clearer and I believe she has a huge chance of winning this event. Julia barely got past Bojana, that's not going to cut it against Stephens. However, we all know Sloane can go haywire in a second, so I think she will need 3 sets to win this.

Pick: Stephens in 3 sets

Sure win bets: Elena Vesnina, Petra Kvitova
Upset alert: Sara Errani, Carla Suarez Navarro

Bastaad, Bad Gastein QF: Larsson to bolster local hopes

Bastaad schedule:

Klara Zakopalova vs. Richel Hogenkamp
Johanna Larsson vs. Mathilde Johansson
Serena Williams vs. Lourdes Dominguez Lino
Flavia Pennetta vs. Virginie Razzano

Bad Gastein:

Karin Knapp vs. Annika Beck
Arantxa Rus vs. Yvonne Meusburger
Patricia Mayr-Achleitner vs. Elina Svitolina
Lisa-Maria Moser vs. Andrea Hlavackova

Match focus:

Johanna Larsson vs. Mathilde Johansson

Local girl Johanna Larsson will be looking to reach her first semi-final in a while in her own country in Sweden. Even though clay is not her best surface, she manages to win her matches to reach the last 8. Johansson is the better clay court player, but Johanna can make use of the crowd's support to get into Mathilde's head. The Frenchwoman is well known for her mental fragility anyway. If Larsson hangs on, she has a good chance of reaching the last 4.

Pick: Larsson in 3 sets

Flavia Pennetta vs. Virginie Razzano

Seems like Flavia Pennetta can only win via her opponent's retirement. She is lucky that Simona injured her back and had to retire as she was already down a set. She will face the equally experienced Razzano for a place in the last 4. Pennetta needs to grab this rare chance to reach her first final since Hobart in 2012 with the open draw. She will be the favourite against Razzano, whose game is prone to errors. Flavia just needs to be consistent and wait for the errors to leak.

Pick: Pennetta in 2 sets

Karin Knapp vs. Annika Beck

Annika Beck looked shaky in her last match and will be thoroughly tested against Karin Knapp. The Italian is playing herself to form, and will be looking to advance to her first semi-final since... 2008? Knapp has the tools to beat the youngster, but she cannot rush things as Beck will absorb everything and make her hit the extra ball. That said, Beck must be feeling tired after her tussle the day before, so I think an upset is possible here.

Pick: Knapp in 3 sets

Sure win bets: Serena Williams, Klara Zakopalova, Yvonne Meusburger
Upset alert: Annika Beck