Oeiras F: Suarez Navarro clinches her first title

Oeiras final:

Carla Suarez Navarro def. Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-4 3-6 6-4

Going into the final with a 0-5 record in title matches, Suarez Navarro finally clinches her first tour title with a win over Svetlana Kuznetsova. She was of course helped by the Russian, who choked a massive lead at 4-1 with a double break. Nobody on the tour can do that except Kuznetsova. While Carla is too talented not to have a title, Kuznetsova is beyond hope for wasting such a huge lead. What a waste of talent. Congratulations to Carla as she was extremely elated at her first win on tour. Well deserved victory.

Oeiras F: Kuznetsova, dark horse for RG

Oeiras Final:

Carla Suarez Navarro vs. Svetlana Kuznetsova

Carrying on her good form from Stuttgart, Kuznetsova ploughed through the field here and looks poised to clinch her first title since 2010 in San Diego. A player like Kuznetsova's calibre should not suffer from such a long title drought, and against a headcase like Suarez Navarro, the title's as good as won. Carla tends to freeze in finals, so Svetlana just needs to play her normal standard. Don't expect any surprises here.

Pick: Kuznetsova in 2 sets

Oeiras SF: Rejuvenated Kuznetsova

Svetlana Kuznetsova vs. Elena Vesnina

When Kuznetsova is playing her best, not many people can stop her, especially on clay. Eugenie Bouchard was the unfortunate victim, showing that the Canadian has much to learn if she wants to conquer the red clay. Svetlana is playing very well at the moment, and should be able to topple Vesnina. Elena struggled through her matches and will no doubt be very tired in her semi-final.

Pick: Kuznetsova in 2 sets

Carla Suarez Navarro vs. Irina-Camelia Begu

Begu was in a deep slump for the past year and she seems to have broken the spell with an inspiring run here all the way from qualifying. She will be the underdog though against Carla Suarez Navarro, the top seed. Carla has been cruising through her matches so far, and looks good to reach the final with ease. The only thing that will hinder her progress is the thought of her being close to winning a title. The Spaniard is famous for being title-less, so the very thought of winning might scare the wits out of her.

Pick: Suarez Navarro in 2 sets

Oeiras day 3: Torro-Flor, the real deal?

Schedule of play:

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

Match focus:

Svetlana Kuznetsova vs. Maria-Teresa Torro-Flor

Marrakech champion Maria-Teresa Torro-Flor continues her winning streak here in Portugal. She will face a major test here with former French Open winner, Svetlana Kuznetsova. The Russian played extremely well in Stuttgart, losing in 3 tight sets to eventual finalist Ana Ivanovic. If Torro-Flor is the real deal, she will give Kuznetsova a good fight for her money. However, I think the vast experience of Svetlana will overcome the wild hitting of Maria-Teresa.

Pick: Kuznetsova in 2 sets

Jovanovski played well against Monica Puig in her opening match, but was lucky that Puig was broken while serving to stay in the set and the match. Vesnina is a more experienced opponent, so she will not suffer from the jitters. These 2 players are ranked relatively the same so it will be a close fight. The only thing that's in doubt is Vesnina's recent injury. If she's fully recovered, she should be able to clinch this.

Pick: Vesnina in 3 sets

Yanina Wickmayer vs. Roberta Vinci

With both players struggling with their forms, it can be a guaranteed horror show for this match. Yanina barely made it out of her first round against Urszula Radwanska, where she was helped majorly by the Pole. Against Vinci, she will have to step it up as Vinci is not playing club level tennis. The Italian might be struggling, but she did well against Cadantu in shorter rallies. If Yanina wants to win this, she needs to be patient and extend the rallies. The longer the rally goes, the more advantageous it will be for Yanina. However, given Wickmayer's wham-bam game, I doubt she will have the patience.

Pick: Vinci in 2 sets

Sure win bets: Kaia Kanepi, Carla Suarez Navarro
Upset alert: Ons Jabeur, Lucie Safarova

Oeiras day 2: How good is Bouchard on clay?

Schedule of play:

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

Match focus:

Alisa Kleybanova vs. Eugenie Bouchard

Alisa's recent fine form will be tested by Bouchard, whose 2014 has been stellar. Still, the young Canadian sparked some controversy by refusing to shake hands with her opponent during the Fed Cup pre-match interview. Maybe the success is getting to Eugenie's head, but she must also realise that it's important to stay humble. Alisa has the experience on the surface, while Eugenie is rather normal on clay. I think Alisa has a chance here, if she makes Eugenie hit that extra ball.

Pick: Kleybanova in 3 sets

Svetlana Kuznetsova vs. Zhang Shuai

Kuznetsova almost reached the semi-finals of Stuttgart, but faltered when it matters. This will not happen here as Zhang is no Ivanovic. The Chinese is better suited for hard courts, not the slow clay. The former French Open champion will treat this as a practice match and try out new things for her clay game. An easy win for the Russian.

Pick: Kuznetsova in 2 easy sets

Alexandra Cadantu vs. Roberta Vinci

Vinci may be struggling this year, but her level of play should be able to overcome Alexandra Cadantu. The Romanian is one of the most weaponless players on tour, and is only respectable on clay. With her vast experience on the red surface, Roberta is the huge favourite despite winning only a handful of matches this year. If she loses this one, we're in big big trouble.

Pick: Vinci in 2 sets

Sure win bets: Samantha Stosur, Carla Suarez Navarro, Kaia Kanepi
Upset alert: Elena Vesnina, Eugenie Bouchard, Peng Shuai

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