Moscow, Luxembourg QF: Unseeded players galore

Moscow schedule of play:

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

Match focus:

Alison Riske vs. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova

Alison Riske comes off her Tianjin title with renewed confidence, having won the title there all by herself. She will be looking forward to extending her winning streak against Pavlyuchenkova. The Russian can play a good game, followed by 4 heinous errors. You'll never know what Pavlyuchenkova's level is. Riske's level of play is surprisingly high, evidenced by her easy first round match. An upset here is possible.

Pick: Riske in 3 sets

Dominika Cibulkova vs. Vitalia Diatchenko

Cibulkova needs to win this match to ensure her alternate status in Singapore. Why is this important to her? Well, just by being an alternate, she will get a good pay cheque without having to hit a single ball. However, with her recent dire form, nothing is concrete. I mean, who loses a match to a 15 year old girl? Dominika looks lost on the courts, but is lucky enough to draw a lowly ranked Diatchenko. Vitalia had a few main draw appearances in the past, but was sidelined by injury. I don't think she's capable of upsetting the top seed, but she can make it close.

Pick: Cibulkova in 3 sets

Johanna Larsson vs. Barbora Zahlavova Strycova

With the top seeds out, the pressure is on Barbora Zahlavova Strycova to live up to her seeding and win the title. Against Larsson, I'm sure Barbora is confident of her chances. The Swede cannot just depend on her forehand to win matches. Strycova's all court game will test Johanna's backhand, and cruise to an easy victory.

Pick: Zahlavova Strycova in 2 sets

Sure win bets: Varvara Lepchenko, Annika Beck, Kristina Mldaenovic
Upset alert: Tsvetana Pironkova, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova

Moscow, Luxembourg day 3: Forza Italia

Moscow schedule of play:

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

Match focus:

Flavia Pennetta vs. Camila Giorgi

An all Italian clash features the young Camila Giorgi versus the veteran Flavia Pennetta. Giorgi is coming off a final appearance in Linz, but she lost a heartbreaker there. Can she turn it around for Moscow? Pennetta's form after US Open has been bad, so Camila stands a good chance, but I do think that her loss in Linz will haunt her for a while. Flavia also has the experience to weather the bombs that Giorgi throws at her.

Pick: Pennetta in 3 tight sets

Monica Niculescu vs. Mona Barthel

On an indoor surface, I would expect Mona Barthel to perform better. The German has won Paris Indoors before, so she would have the experience of playing under such conditions. Niculescu's junky game will be less of a factor in the indoor environment, so Barthel should be able to belt her winners at will. Mona has a clean game, but tends to make silly errors at inopportune times. I still believe she needs a new coach to bring her game to the next level.

Pick: Barthel in 3 sets

Johanna Larsson vs. Polona Hercog

Both players have a glaring weakness, which is their backhands. These 2 players seem contend to be languishing inside the top 100, not making a concerted effort to improve their weakness or game. Nevertheless, Larsson's recent form has been decent, with a 3rd round showing in US Open, and an upset of Kirsten Flipkens in her first round. That should give her the confidence boost she needs. Polona also claimed an upset over Erakovic, but it's not as significant as Larsson's win over a seeded player. Whoever wins this will probably be ousted in the next round though.

Pick: Larsson in 3 sets

Sure win bets: Svetlana Kuznetsova, Ekaterina Makarova, Alize Cornet, Sabine Lisicki
Upset alert: Monica Niculescu

Moscow, Luxembourg day 2: Best of the rest

Moscow schedule of play:

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

Luxembourg schedule of play:

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

Match focus:

Ana Konjuh vs. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova

Coming off a good week in Osaka, Ana Konjuh will be a tough opener for the patchy Russian, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. The Russian has hit a rough patch lately, barely winning matches. Still, her season is salvaged by her surprise title run in Paris Indoors. In the fast carpet surface, Pavlyuchenkova has the experience, having won in Paris earlier in the year, but Konjuh has nothing to lose and her powerful game is effective here as well. Pavlyuchenkova will need to weather the storm, and try to make Ana make the errors.

Pick: Pavlyuchenkova in 3 sets

Caroline Garcia vs. Aleksandra Krunic

Caroline Garcia is the anti-thesis of consistency. Just when you thought that she's getting her groove back, she bombs out in the opening round of Linz. Needless to say, it is impossible to predict which Garcia will show up. However, against someone as scrappy and stingy as Krunic, I think Caroline will lose here. Aleksandra will make Garcia crazy with her endless retrieving, which will result in wild errors from the French girl. Looks like Krunic will score another upset here.

Pick: Krunic in 2 sets

Sabine Lisicki vs. Daniela Hantuchova

Given Hantuchova's recent lack of form, Sabine should be able to cruise in her first round match. The lightning fast surface does not give any consolation to Daniela, whose movement is laborious even on other surfaces. Let's see if Daniela can summon her game and show that she still has some years ahead of her. If she loses this in a lopsided manner, I believe the end is near for Daniela.

Pick: Lisicki in 2 sets


Sure in bets: Camila Giorgi, Elena Vesnina, Alize Cornet, Andrea Petkovic
Upset alert: Caroline Garcia, Kiki Bertens, Varvara Lepchenko, Annika Beck

Moscow, Luxembourg day 1: Massive withdrawals dampen season ending tournaments

Moscow schedule of play:

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

Luxembourg schedule of play:

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

Match focus:

Svetlana Kuznetsova vs. Klara Koukalova

Svetlana Kuznetsova looks content just being a solid top 30 player, always pushing the top players but coming out short in the end. In an event marred by the top players' withdrawal, this will be a good chance for Kuznetsova to revive her career. The Russian enjoys home crowd support, and will be the firm favourite against the slumping Koukalova. If the Russian loses this, I'm afraid any hopes of a career revival will be dashed.

Pick: Kuznetsova in 2 sets

Tereza Smitkova vs. Roberta Vinci

Vinci may be slumping, but I certainly do not expect her to lose to unheralded Tereza Smitkova. The Czech youngster had a breakthrough tournament in Wimbledon, but faded in obscurity immediately after that. There is one factor that might work against Roberta though, as she is scheduled to play in the Year-End Championships in Singapore. If she advances to the finals, she will have limited time to travel back to Asia and readjust to the conditions. Not saying that the Italian should throw the match away, but it will be a matter of priorities.

Pick: Vinci in 2 sets

Silvia Soler Espinosa vs. Barbora Zahlavova Strycova

Silvia held a 5-0 lead against Serena in Beijing, but collapsed immediately after that when the world number 1 raised her game. The Spaniard's game is not flashy, but will make you earn your points. Barbora's season has been consistent after her Wimbledon breakthrough. She used to be a walking time-bomb, never knowing when she will self-destruct and wallow in self pity. Once she kept her emotions intact, she plays a good all-court game which is a joy to watch. I would give Barbora the advantage as she's a play maker, as opposed to Silvia's reactionary game. It will be close though, with a lot of scrambling and all court tennis.

Pick: Strycova in 3 sets

Sure win bets: Mona Barthel, Karin Knapp, Monica Niculescu
Upset alert: Jana Cepelova, Donna Vekic, Tsvetana Pironkova

Luxembourg, Moscow SF: All Russian finals possible

Luxembourg SF:

Caroline Wozniacki vs. Sabine Lisicki

Caroline barely escaped the hard hitter in Jovanovski, and she will face a harder basher in Sabine Lisicki. The heads to heads is tied at 2 all, but I believe Sabine has the advantage in this fast indoor courts. Wozniacki did win their last encounter in Melbourne this year, but it was a hard fought 3 set match. With her injury supposedly healed, Sabine should be able to blast Wozniacki into submission.

Pick: Lisicki in 3 sets

Stefanie Voegele vs. Annika Beck

2 surprise semifinalists here as Voegele manages to upset the favoured Sloane Stephens in their quarter-final match. Sorry for shifting the focus, but Sloane is making too much noise for someone who cannot even reach the finals of a depleted event. She should concentrate on being consistent instead of saying things that she cannot live up to. Anyway, Voegele seems to picking up pace again after her impressive Charleston run. Still, I will give the advantage to Annika Beck, whose consistent strokes will be hard to break down. Annika has also won their only encounter, so she should be able to replicate her success.

Pick: Beck in 3 sets

Moscow SF:

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova vs. Simona Halep

Simona lead their heads to head 2-0, but I''m going to favour Pavlyuchenkova this time. Firstly, she is playing in Russia, and will get the full crowd support. Second, she was so close to beating Simona in Tokyo, but was undone by her fatigue after her Seoul final appearance. Now well rested and seemingly in the form of her life, Anastasia looks like a safe bet for the final. Halep had the good luck of drawing Kleybanova, who must be exhausted with her long drawn matches.

Pick: Pavlyuchenkova in 2 sets

Svetlana Kuznetsova vs. Samantha Stosur

Battle of the massive forehands here as doubles partners take on each other in this semi-finals. Stosur was impressive in her conquest of Ivanovic, but it was also due to Ana's mental fragility. What's more impressive is Kuznetsova''s demolition of Vinci, having lost their last match in Dubai. Will Svetlana turn the tides against the Aussie, having lost their last 2 matches as well? It seems so as Svetlana will be lifted by the home crowd, and Stosur must be tired from her recent matches. Also, Kuznetsova will be eager to join Pavlyuchenkova in the finals, should Anastasia win her match before this.

Pick: Kuznetsova in 2 tight sets

Luxembourg, Moscow QF: Caroline in danger?

Luxembourg schedule:

Annika Beck vs. Katarzyna Piter
Stefanie Voegele vs. Sloane Stephens
Caroline Wozniacki vs. Bojana Jovanovski
Sabine Lisicki vs. Karin Knapp

Moscow schedule:

Samantha Stosur vs. Ana Ivanovic
Svetlana Kuznetsova vs. Roberta Vinci
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova vs. Daniela Hantuchova
Simona Halep vs. Alisa Kleybanova

Match focus:

Caroline Wozniacki vs. Bojana Jovanovski

Stat of the match is that Bojana Jovanovski won their last 2 meetings this year. Can the Serb make it 3 in a row? One has to note that the wins came on clay, Wozniacki's least favourite surface. In the Luxembourg fast indoor courts, Caroline will be the slight favourite. Jovanovski will try to prove that she's no flash in a pan by replicating her win over the Dane, but I believe the number 1 seed should have enough resistance to get past this match.

Pick: Wozniacki in 3 sets

Samantha Stosur vs. Ana Ivanovic

Former Grand Slam champions will fight for a place in the semi-finals in this mouth watering clash. A rematch of last year's semi-finals, Stosur looks poised to replicate her win over Ana. With a neat winning streak from Osaka, the Australian eased through her first 2 matches with ease. Ana has enjoyed a fine run in Linz too, but you can always count on her to lose/choke to better players. I love Ana, but she's proven to be too mentally fragile to complete an impressive win.

Pick: Stosur in 2 tight sets

Svetlana Kuznetsova vs. Roberta Vinci

Kuznetsova's up and down season looks set to rise again in her country, Russia. Playing in front of her home crowd, she will be lifted by their support against Vinci. However, Roberta has already accounted for a Russian in Vesnina. Will Kuznetsova be her next victim? Svetlana's weakness will always be her head. She has all the shots, but just doesn't know when to use which shot. Against someone as patient and tricky as Vinci, she will tend to rush. Nevertheless, I believe Svetlana has enough game to eventually overcome the Italian.

Pick: Kuznetsova in 3 sets

Sure win bets: Annika Beck, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Sabine Lisicki
Upset alert: Roberta Vinci,

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

Luxembourg, Moscow day 3: Asian swing hangover

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:

Andrea Petkovic vs. Eugenie Bouchard

Eugenie Bouchard has been on a roll lately and she attempts to continue her good form here in Luxembourg. You must give credit to the young Canadian lass for making it all the way here from her Asian tour. She must be exhausted after playing in Osaka, Tokyo and Beijing. Petkovic has also enjoyed a good run in Beijing, and is better rested than Eugenie. Can she stop the rising youngster? You have to factor in fatigue here as Bouchard had just lost the Osaka final less than 3 days ago. She was so close to her first title and to get back into winning ways isn't going to be easy. Not that I doubt Eugenie's game, but it might be too much to ask for a young inexperienced player.

Pick: Petkovic in 2 tight sets

Maria Kirilenko vs. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova

Kirilenko has had a strange year. Her first half of the year was incredibly consistent, highlighted by a top 10 finish after Paris. However, she fell out of the top 10 faster than you can pronounce Pavlyuchenkova, as she went into a slump/injury. She pushed Serena hard in Beijing, and looked to be recovered from her injury woes. Pavlyuchenkova will have something to show though, as she has been in decent form, reaching the finals of Seoul. I believe Kirilenko is still carrying a knee injury, so I would give the edge to Anastasia. Either way, the Russian fans will be happy whoever wins.

Pick: Pavlyuchenkova in 2 sets

Samantha Stosur vs. Kaia Kanepi

Stosur finally wins another title last week in Osaka, the same place where she won her maiden title. This year has been fruitful for Stosur, winning 2 titles, the most of her long career. However, outside of those bright spots, she barely did anything significant. Hopefully, this will give her the confidence for next year to turn in more consistent results. Kaia Kanepi makes a rare appearance here, and she is one of the few player I know who can just win matches without any prior match play. Stosur will need to on her toes or else she will be saying sayonara to Moscow soon.

Pick: Stosur in 3 sets

Sure win bets: Bojana Jovanovski, Svetlana Kuznetsova, Carla Suarez Navarro
Upset alert: Eugenie Bouchard, Maria Kirilenko, Roberta Vinci