Seoul final: Radwanska scrapes through

Seoul final:

Agnieszka Radwanska def. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-7(6) 6-3 6-4

Pavlyuchenkova gave her all against Radwanska but it wasn't enough to stop the Pole from clinching her 13th title. The Russian had her chances in the third set, but failed to convert her precious break points as Agnieszka was too tough on these important points. Now, the Russian can look forward to bringing this form towards a Premier event, while Radwanska will no doubt be a bit tired from this tighter than necessary final.

Guangzhou, Seoul Final: Zhang claims first title

Guangzhou final:

Zhang Shuai def. Vania King 7-6(1) 6-1

Alas, King couldn't escape from the hole she dug herself in this time. The queen of comebacks, she ran out of gas after losing the first set and was promptly stomped over by wildcard entry, Zhang Shuai. The Chinese hasn't dropped a set in this tournament, and will look to improve on her mediocre results after making a small impact a few years ago. Zhang has a good game when on and she seems to be piecing it together now. For King, she will make her re-entry into the top 100, so she will be playing main draws for quite sometime. Well done to both players.

Seoul final:

Agnieszka Radwanska vs. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova

Pavlyuchenkova's impressive record in smaller events cannot stop the Radwanska train from clinching this title. The Pole has been barely losing games all week, and she will no doubt exploit the Russian's lack of movement. Seems like a good idea for Agnieszka, collect some impressive appearance fees and gain an easy title. Still, I would like to see her concentrate on playing bigger events, where she often gets blown away by an inspired opponent.

Pick: Radwanska in 2 sets

Guangzhou final, Seoul SF: Just give Radwanska the title

Guangzhou final:

Vania King vs. Zhang Shuai

One fought all the way from qualifying to the finals, while the other one demolished her opponent in the semi-finals. There is no doubt who is the fresher player, but one has to commend on Vania King's fighting spirit. With this final appearance, she makes her reappearance in the top 100 after 2 years of lacklustre results. This is proof that hard work does pay off and it's not over until the last point. Zhang's game seems to be more aggressive now, so Vania will need to end the points earlier than Shuai. I believe all the long drawn 3 set matches have taken a toll on Vania, and Zhang will bag her first title in China.

Pick: Zhang in 2 sets

Seoul SF:

Agnieszka Radwanska vs Lara Arruabarrena

Agnieszka in 2 easy sets. Nuff'said.

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova vs. Francesca Schiavone

Despite not performing at the big events, Pavlyuchenkova's record in the smaller events are stellar. So it's safe to say that she's the favourite in events where there are less pressure. Schiavone just had a long drawn match with Date-Krumm, and will need her wheels to counter the big hitting Russian. If Pavlyuchenkova plays to her normal level, she should be able to take this.

Pick: Pavlyuchenkova in 2 tight sets

Guangzhou and Seoul day 5: Possible all Chinese clash in Guangzhou

Guangzhou schedule:

Zheng Jie vs Vania King
Zhang Shuai vs. Yvonne Meusburger

Seoul schedule:

Agnieszka Radwanska vs. Vera Dushevina
Su Jeong Jang vs. Lara Arruabarrena
Francesca Schiavone vs. Kimiko Date-Krumm
Irina-Camelia Begu vs. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova

Match focus:

Zheng Jie vs. Vania King

Vania King fought her way through the talented youngster Puig, and showed that experience eventually trumps youth. These 2 players of Chinese descent will guarantee a familiar face in the final. Zheng also fought her way through the big hitting Robson, and shows that talent is nothing without hard work. The Chinese won their only encounter last year, and expect her to win this as well with the crowd behind her. Vania will be satisfied with her showing here, almost getting back into the top 100.

Zhang Shuai vs. Yvonne Meusburger

An all Chinese finals is very much possible with Zhang Shuai taking on Yvonne Meusburger. The crowd will be firmly behind their own countrywoman, but Meusburger is not one to be ignored. She has already accounted for Alize Cornet, who was in great form coming into the tournament. Meusburger seems to really thrive in smaller events and will no doubt give Zhang a good fight. Once again, I believe experience will be vital here as Yvonne has the bigger match experiences compared to Zhang.

Pick: Meusburger in 2 sets

Pick: Zheng in 2 sets

Francesca Schiavone vs. Kimiko Date-Krumm

2 of the oldest players left in the draw proves that age is just a number. Date-Krumm was very impressive in her dismissal of Kirilenko, although the Russian seemed injured and was too eager to end points. Kimiko will need to grind out a win against the Italian, who has really great speed despite her age. Sadly, the Italian knows how to play Kimiko, as she has 3 wins over her so far. It will take an inspired performance from the Japanese to upset the higher ranked Schiavone.

Pick: Schiavone in 2 sets

Sure win bets, Agnieszka Radwanska, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Yvonne Meusburger
Upset alert: Lara Arruabarrena

Guangzhou, Seoul day 4: Laura favourite to clinch maiden title?

Guangzhou QF:

Johanna Konta vs. Zhang Shuai
Laura Robson vs. Zheng Jie
Vania King vs. Monica Puig
Yvonne Meusburger vs. Alize Cornet

Seoul QF:

Su Jeong Jang vs. Ons Jabeur
Agnieszka Radwanska vs Estrella Cabeza Candela
Kimiko Date-Krumm vs. Maria Kirilenko

Match focus:

Laura Robson vs. Zheng Jie

Whoever wins this match, will be the favourite to clinch the title in my opinion. Robson will need to be ready for the pesky Zheng, as she likes to play big servers and catch them unaware with her aggressive returns. Robson reached the finals here last year, so she knows how to play on this court. If she doesn't let the partisan crowd get to her, she should be able to go through this match.

Pick: Robson in 3 sets

Vania King vs. Monica Puig

Monica Puig's path to the semi-finals was made easier with King's upset win over Jovanovski. Vania has been struggling for quite a while, so it's good to see her posting good results again. Puig played better in her 2nd round match, and will look to be the aggressor in this match. She has to be careful of the net rushing antics of Vania though. If Monica let's it get to her, she might lose pretty easily. This will be a good test for Puig to see if she can handle players with different playing styles.

Pick: Puig in 3 sets

Kimiko Date-Krumm vs. Maria Kirilenko

The grandmother of tennis just keeps winning. She will face the 2nd seed, Kirilenko, who's under an injury cloud. Kirilenko doesn't have the power to brush the Japanese off the court, so Kimiko has a chance here. Besides, Kimiko won their last encounter here in 2009. So she knows how to take out the Russian. With Maria's thigh tightly wrapped, you will have to give the advantage to the fitter Japanese.

Pick: Date-Krumm in 3 sets

Sure win bets: Agnieszka Radwanska, Alize Cornet
Upset alert: Maria Kirilenko, Zhang Shuai

Guangzhou, Seoul day 3: Will a Chinese win Guangzhou?

Guangzhou schedule:

http://www.wtatennis.com/schedule/tournamentId/1142/title/guangzhou-open

Seoul schedule:

http://www.wtatennis.com/schedule/tournamentId/1143/title/kdb-korea-open

Match focus:

Zheng Jie vs. Timea Babos

With 4 Chinese in the second round, there might be some hope of a Chinese finally winning Guangzhou after Li Na in 2004. Zheng is the most experienced Chinese of all and she and Peng Shuai are China's best hopes of clinching the title. She faces the big serving Timea Babos, who played well to beat Lepchenko. Zheng loves big servers, that's why she managed to beat Venus Williams and push Serena to the edge. Babos has a huge serve too, and Zheng will redirect the power into laser like returns. With her less than impressive movement, Babos is at a disadvantage.

Pick: Zheng in 2 sets

Galina Voskoboeva vs. Monica Puig

Puig showed her fighting capabilities in her first round, and will need to be ready against the big hitter, Voskoboeva. Galina has a big serve and can dictate points from the first ball. Puig will have to be patient and draw the errors from Galina. If Puig gets drawn into a big hitting contest against Voskoboeva, she might come out as the loser.

Pick: Puig in 3 sets

Julia Goerges vs. Irina-Camelia Begu

Two of the biggest slumpers of the year finally win a match here. This will be a contest of who sucks less definitely. Julia Goerges has the more imposing game, so I expect her to win this. But know the German, she will prove me wrong once again by losing meekly to Irina-Camelia. Perhaps Julia needs a new coach, or just a holiday. She has the game, but not the brain to play tennis.

Pick: Goerges in 2 tight sets

Sure win bets: Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Peng Shuai, Laura Robson

Upset alert: Lara Arruabarrena, Yvonne Meusburger

Guangzhou, Seoul day 2: Tough opening match for Cirstea

Guangzhou schedule:

http://www.wtatennis.com/schedule/tournamentId/1142/title/guangzhou-open

Seoul schedule:

http://www.wtatennis.com/schedule/tournamentId/1143/title/kdb-korea-open

Match focus:

Sorana Cirstea vs. Bojana Jovanovski

Sorana Cirstea hasn't done much since reaching the finals of Toronto. Will she survive the in form Bojana Jovanovski? The Serbian just clinched Tashkent last week and will look forward to carrying her form here in Guangzhou. Seems that Cirstea is nursing an injury after that final run and she might be rushing a bit into resuming play. If she manages to win this, it's an indication that she's fully recovered. If not, she needs to take a break before any permanent damage is done.

Pick: Cirstea in 3 sets

Andrea Petkovic vs. Francesca Schiavone

Petkovic's form is still very up and down and she will be tested against the wily Italian, Francesca Schiavone. The former French Open champion was swept aside by ruthless Serena, but Petkovic doesn't have the serve or firepower like the world number 1. If she gets into long drawn rallies with Francesca, she's in trouble. Being the hardworking girl, I believe Andrea knows what she has been lacking and will practice her ass off to improve it.

Pick: Petkovic in 3 sets

Heather Watson vs. Kimiko Date-Krumm

Heather Watson's season has been forgettable, but she showed signs of a revival in US Open. Will she be able to topple the crowd favourite, Kimiko Date-Krumm? The Brit's game is not imposing enough to brush aside the pesky Japanese. She will have to grind out a win against the veteran. If she goes for too much, Watson might be bidding sayonara soon. This will be a close match, and I believe Watson will edge out Kimiko in 3 tight sets.

Pick: Watson in 3 sets

Sure win bets: Maria Kirilenko, Agnieszka Radwanska, Laura Robson, Varvara Lepchenko
Upset alert: Irina-Camelia Begu, Nastassja Burnett, Luksika Kumkhum, Yvonna Meusburger