Katowice, Bogota F: Giorgi puts up a good fight; Jankovic downed

Katowice final:

Alize Cornet def. Camila Giorgi 7-6(3) 5-7 7-5

I was expecting Cornet to cruise through her final as Camila wasn't experienced and ready to take her first tour title. I was very pleasantly surprised by Giorgi's fight and never-say-die attitude, overcoming huge deficits in the 2nd and 3rd set, even holding a match point. Still, praise much be given to Alize for an improved game and season. Her scrappy game has added more power, and it is showing up in her results. This is her first title this year, and I don't think it'll be her last.

Bogota final:

Caroline Garcia def. Jelena Jankovic 6-3 6-4

Many expected Jankovic to stroll to the title, but Garcia had other ideas. The youngster met Jankovic twice before this match and both times held match points against her. Now with more confidence and good for, Garcia finally finished the job and upset the top seed. Caroline's game has been slowly maturing and will be a player that the seeds wouldn't want to draw in Paris. It's much better this way for a player to grow, rather than thrusted into the limelight with no experience and maturity. Like I said earlier, Garcia is the one to watch, and I wouldn't be surprised if she breaks into the top 30 by the end of the year.

Katowice final: Camila surprise

Katowice final:

Alize Cornet vs. Camila Giorgi

Radwanska is becoming fellow defeated semi-finalist, Suarez Navarro. Both players are capable of beating the top players, but will crumble when the finish line is near. Of course Agnieszka's case is not as severe as Carla's but her breakdown was totally unexpected against Cornet. After cruising through the first set, Agnieszka got nervous and started to just play defensive tennis. Maybe she was feeling the pressure to perform in front of her home crowd, but the collapse was just absurd. Giorgi's game will not match well with Cornet's scrappy resilient game, but if she plays inspired tennis like she has been all week, she can spring a surprise. However, I think it's asking for too much for Camila to perform to that standard in her first tour final.

Pick: Cornet in 2 tight sets

Katowice SF: Can Cornet score the upset

Agnieszka Radwanska vs. Alize Cornet

With the exception of Roberta Vinci, whose fall was totally expected, the other top 4 seeds made it to the semi-finals. Cornet had to deal with an inspired Koukalova, but the Czech simply imploded in the third set. The feisty Frenchwoman will be looking forward to the match against Agnieszka, where she aims to beat the Pole for the first time. Alize has neve taken a set off Radwanska, and it will be difficult to see that happening here. The fast indoor courts suits Agnieszka more and Cornet will have to play inspired tennis to beat her. It seems that the Pole has the title in her bag this week.

Pick: Radwanska in 2 close sets

Carla Suarez Navarro vs. Camila Giorgi

With the exception of her loss against Zarina Diya in Miami, Giorgi has been on a run lately. The Italian has been playing aggressive and winning close matches. This bodes well for cutie pie Giorgi, as Carla is well known to have mental blockages in the semi-finals and finals. Carla should be able to trouble Camila with her variety, but will falter in the crucial moments. Look out for her first final appearance in a tour final.

Pick: Giorgi in 3 sets

Katowice QF: Cornet vs Koukolova the highlight

Match focus:

Alize Cornet vs. Klara Koukalova

Looks who's back. Klara gets her surname back after divorcing her husband, and is back to being Kookie Klara. Even though her private life may not be a bed of roses, her tennis is as she is playing the best tennis of her career. She will face an equally strong opponent as Cornet has been nothing but steady for this year. I believe Alize has the game to win this, but the surface suits Klara's flat game more. Alize will need to be patient and serve well, and frankly wait for the Kookie to crumble. It will be a tough match, and I think Cornet will edge Klara here.

Pick: Cornet in 3 sets

Agnieszka Radwanska vs. Yvonne Meusburger

I don't think I need to elaborate more on this match.

Pick: Radwanska in 2 easy sets

Shahar Peer vs. Camila Giorgi

Cutie pie Giorgi will play for a place in the semi-finals against veteran Shahar Peer. The Israeli has dropped down the rankings spectacularly, and will be grateful for this result. Giorgi's game suits the fast indoor courts here, so she should have the advantage. However, it is no secret that to beat Camila, you just have to wear her out. Let's see if Peer can do just that.

Pick: Giorgi in 2 sets

Magdalena Rybarikova vs. Carla Suarez Navarro

Rybarikova's serve will be her weapon here in the quick indoor court. However, her major weakness, her backhand, will be exploited by Carla Suarez Navarro. The Spaniard will direct most of her topspin backhands to that wing and cruise to an easy victory. This is not a semi-final or final, so I don't expect Carla to go away mentally.

Pick: Suarez Navarro in 2 sets

Katowice day 4: Can Schiavone still spring an upset

Schedule of play:

http://www.wtatennis.com/schedule/tournamentId/3143/title/bnp-paribas-katowice-open

Match focus:

Agnieszka Radwanska vs. Francesca Schiavone

Schiavone might be struggling, but not to the extent of her compatriot, Roberta Vinci. As a former Grand Slam champion, does she have what it takes to topple Radwanska? If this match was played on clay, I wouldn't rule out an upset. But Katowice is played on hard courts (strangely), so the favourite will be Agnieszka. Schiavone will have flashes of brilliance as usual, but Radwanska will steadily wear her down.

Pick: Radwanska in 2 sets

Mirjana Lucic-Baroni vs. Yvonne Meusburger

Mirjana Lucic-Baroni has a huge game, but her unforced errors let her down 90% of the time. Against a steady player like Meusburger, Mirjana will be at a disadvantage. However, playing on hard fast courts will suit Mirjana more, and the Croatian has been on a roll lately. An upset is possible here is possible.

Pick: Lucic-Baroni in 3 sets

Sure win bets: Alize Cornet, Magdalena Rybarikova

Katowice day 2: Aga's tournament to lose

Apologies for missing out on the first day. Due to the time difference in schedules being release, I shall just focus on Katowice this week.

Katowice schedule of play:

http://www.wtatennis.com/schedule/tournamentId/3143/title/bnp-paribas-katowice-open

Match focus:

Agnieszka Radwanska vs. Kristyna Pliskova

Agnieszka's season cannot be labelled as bad, but she has crumbled at the crucial times in important tournaments. Playing here in her home country should give her a confidence boost and restore some of her toughness back. Kristyna, better known as the less talented Pliskova sister, doesn't have a lot to challenge Agnieszka. Her sister has a huge serve, while Kristyna's serve is not as potent. I don't expect the top seed to have any trouble here.

Pick: Radwanska in 2 sets

Ksenia Pervak vs. Roberta Vinci

Roberta is under huge pressure to defend her title here. The Italian has only won one match this year, and looks to be suffering from a lack of motivation. She has a soft opening though, as Pervak is fresh from her injury break. The Russian has been interrupted by injuries, and will take a few more matches to get back into her old form. There is still a risk that Vinci might stink up the court, but I believe she will do better on clay.

Pick: Vinci in 3 sets

Vera Dushevina vs. Francesca Schiavone

It is hard to believe that Dushevina was a top junior and was ranked as high as 31 in the world. The meek Russian has obvious flaws in her game, and her match against Amelie Mauresmo in Roland Garros has to be one of the worst matches ever played. Coming through qualifying and winning some matches for a change, Vera will face former French Open champion Schiavone. The Italian isn't in stellar form as well, but her standard is much better than losing in the first rounds of challengers.

Pick: Schiavone in 2 sets

Sure win bets: Yvonne Meusburger, Francesca Schiavone, Agnieszka Radwanska
Upset alert: Monica Niculescu, Misaki Doi, Tsvetana Pironkova