Toronto F: Serena annihilates Sorana

Toronto final:
Serena Williams def. Sorana Cirstea 6-2 6-0

Serena shrugs off her lacklastre performance in the semi-finals to demolish giant killer, Sorana Cirstea in dominating fashion. Williams raced to a 3-0 start before Sorana got on board with 2 games. However, it was a straightforward affair from then onwards as Serena won the next 9 games. With this win, Serena is 5th in the all time most titles won and further extends her lead on the rankings. Sorana cannot be disappointed with her week as she did overcome slam champions and former number 1s to reach the final. What's next for Serena? Seems like she is not slowing down and at her age, you have to give her the respect for still being so committed to the game.

Toronto F: How many games can Sorana get this time?

Serena Williams vs. Sorana Cirstea

Serena has not lost more than 3 games against Cirstea in their past 2 meetings, so I really don't think she will suddenly beat the world number 1 here. Cirstea has been very good at proving me wrong this tournament, after she defied my predictions from round 1 until now. She has obviously improved, but facing Serena is another mountain to climb. Everyone loves a fairytale ending, but the dream run will most definitely end here against Serena.

Pick: Serena in 2 easy sets

Toronto SF: Others scramble for scraps

Li Na vs. Sorana Cirstea

Surprise semi-finalist, Sorana Cirstea will have her hands full against Li Na, who was impressive against Cibulkova in their quarter-final match. Li turned up the aggression against the Slovak and she will be looking to do the same against Cirstea. Bad news for the Romanian is that Li already had her warm up match against an aggressive hitter. She is not going to need more hints on how to handle a hard-hitter with a suspect serve. Cirstea will need to hope for a break down like Kvitova, which is unlikely.

Pick: Li in 2 sets

Serena Williams vs. Agnieszka Radwanska

The dominance of Serena is so impressive that I believe the rest of the field is just playing for scraps. They just want to gain as many points as possible before meeting their defeat against Williams. Radwanska struggled against Errani and will be grateful for a quick death against Serena. Williams' superior power will plummet the Pole into submission in double quick time. The American is barely losing games, so I expect nothing less here.

Pick: Serena Williams in 2 sets

Toronto QF: Cibulkova, US Open series winner?

Match focus:

Agnieszka Radwanska vs. Sara Errani

These 2 players always have long drawn matches and I'm not expecting anything different this time. On hard courts, Radwanska obviously holds an advantage, but she has to be tired after playing 3 weeks in a row. Errani has beaten her the last time they met in Paris, so she will be comfortable playing the crafty Pole. It will be close, but the Polish girl should be able to win this match.

Pick: Radwanska in 3 sets

Dominika Cibulkova vs. Li Na

Dominika is hitting her stride as she overcame her nemesis, Vinci in the previous round. She has problem playing the crafty Italian, but has reversed the losing trend by beating her in straight sets. Li got out of jail last round against Ana Ivanovic, but will be facing a tougher test against the flat hitting Slovak. If the Chinese is not careful, the diminutive Cibulkova will pounce all over her.

Pick: Cibulkova in 3 sets

Petra Kvitova vs. Sorana Cirstea

Battle of the big ball bashing babes here as 2 of the hardest hitters on tour clash. Kvitova has the better serve, she will be at the advantage. Besides, she played a disciplined match against Stosur, which signals her return to form. Cirstea cannot be underestimated though. as she fought well against Wozniacki and played extremely well in clutch moments. She also took care of the uninspired Jankovic in straightforward fashion. Cirstea has a chance, but will have to play first strike tennis, which is not easy to do against Kvitova.

Pick: Kvitova in 2 sets

Serena Williams vs. Magdalena Rybarikova

Magdalena has a nice winning streak going on here, but it is almost bound to be stopped by the insurmountable Serena Williams. The world number 1 is barely losing games and when a player like Rybarikova who has a glaring weakness, she will pounce on it like nobody's business. Expect a lot of balls going to the backhand side and a punishing shot when a short ball arrives. Rybarikova has nothing to be ashamed of, she just needs to translate the fine form into US Open.

Pick: Serena Williams in 2 sets

Toronto day 4: One match too many for Samantha

Schedule:

http://www.wtatennis.com/schedule/tournamentId/740/title/rogers-cup

Match focus:
Petra Kvitova vs. Samantha Stosur

Samantha Stosur lost a set to unknown Glushko and it seems that the amount of matches have caught up on her. She will face the hard hitting Kvitova, whose forehand will smack Stosur's kick serves for winners. Stosur has the game to trouble Petra, but she's too tired now to do that.

Pick: Kvitova in 2 sets

Agnieszka Radwanska vs. Sloane Stephens

Sloane Stephens had a habit of only performing well in the big events. The question is whether Toronto is big enough for her. Radwanska's game s well suited for players who don't do point construction, like Sloane Stephens. The American will have to hope Radwanska is tired from the many matches she had played, or it will be a straightforward affair for the Pole.

Pick: Radwanska in 2 sets

Alize Cornet vs. Sara Errani

Cornet seems to be hitting a nice form here and in recent weeks, reaching the semi-finals last week, and upsetting Kirilenko. Will she be able to cause another upset? Let's face it, other than the virtual bye that is Wozniacki, Errani is the other top 10 player that is most prone to upsets. A player having an inspired day can take out the Italian easily. However, Cornet doesn't have the firepower to overcome the crafty Sara. It might be close, but the Italian will have the last laugh.

Pick: Errani in 3 sets

Sure win bets: Serena Williams, Roberta Vinci, Agnieszka Radwanska
Upset alert: Li Na, Jelena Jankovic, Marion Bartoli

Toronto day 3: Top seeds in action

Schedule:

http://www.wtatennis.com/schedule/tournamentId/740/title/rogers-cup

Match focus:

Sorana Cirstea vs. Caroline Wozniacki

Caroline Wozniacki is coming into this tournament cold, having not played a match since her Wimbledon 2nd round exit. She should have some difficulty against Sorana, who has already played in Stanford and Washington. Wozniacki's retrieving game is Sorana's nemesis. However, coming off a long break, Caroline might not be in the match rhythm yet. I expect a close match with Wozniacki edging the Romanian. The Dane performs her best on the American hardcourts.

Pick: Wozniacki in 3 sets

Petra Kvitova vs. Eugenie Bouchard

I'm going to take a chance and try to predict the impossible, Kvitova's match. Petra is just an unknown factor now. She can play like her former slam winning self, and turn into an error machine next. Bouchard will have the support and it might cause some nerves from the former Wimbledon champion. Whether Eugenie is ready for the big time is dependent on this match. If she can get into a leading position and hold onto it, it proves that she is the future star that everyone is expecting her to be. If not, Kvitova will seize the opportunity and scrape through to die another day.

Pick: Kvitova in 3 sets

Klara Zakopalova vs. Sara Errani

Another top player comes in with little preparation, Sara Errani will face a tough test against flat hitting Klara Zakopalova. One thing that is going Sara's way is that she has won the last 4 matches against the Czech, including 2 hard court matches. Klara isn't without a chance, but she needs to keep on pressing the issue and force Errani to lose her energy. Tough task to do.

Pick: Errani in 3 sets

Sure win bets: Sloane Stephens, Kirsten Flipkens, Serena Williams
Upset alert: Varvara Lepchenko

Toronto day 2: Comeback queens

Schedule:

http://www.wtatennis.com/schedule/tournamentId/740/title/rogers-cup

Match focus:

Eugenie Bouchard vs. Alisa Kleybanova

This will be a tough one for the crowd to watch. They really have to cheer for both players, Eugenie being the homegrown talent, and Alisa for being a cancer survivor. Kleybanova has been unfortunate with her diagnosis of Hodgkin's Lymphoma at the height of her career. Who knows what might have happened if she stayed healthy for the past 2 years. Anyway, it will be tough for the Russian to compete against someone who's been playing tour events regularly. If Alisa completes this match without retiring or getting injured, it will be a triumph in itself.

Pick: Bouchard in 2 sets

Svetlana Kuznetsova vs. Lauren Davis

Actually, Svetlana lost to Lauren in her final round of qualifying, so she only made it in as a lucky loser. She will have to thank Azarenka for this rematch, as she attempts to right the ship at this tournament. Kuznetsova's comeback got derailed at the French Open with her injury and it might be difficult for her to get into the groove immediately. However, now that she has played Davis once, she will get a second chance to do what is needed to beat the young American. Kuznetsova has the game to demolish Davis, she just needs her head to execute it.

Pick: Kuznetsova in 2 tight sets

Venus Williams vs. Kirsten Flipkens

Venus Williams makes her long awaited comeback here in Toronto, as she faces the recent Wimbledon semi-finalist Kirsten Flipkens. Venus had sort of a warm up doubles match yesterday, so she should be healthy enough for this match. Flipkens will be quietly confident as Venus is no longer the player she once was. If Flipkens mixes it up well, she can win this match easily. As for Venus, it's the same with Alisa, a completed match is a win for the American, win lose or draw.

Pick: Flipkens in 3 sets

Sure win bets: Jelena Jankovic, Ekaterina Makarova, Agnieszka Radwanska
Upset alert: Angelique Kerber, Maria Kirilenko, Carla Suarez Navarro

Toronto day 1: Anastasia, the lost princess?

Schedule:

http://www.wtatennis.com/schedule/tournamentId/740/title/rogers-cup

Match focus:

Carol Zhao vs. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova

Who the hell is Carol Zhao? Sorry, I have no idea too. However, I do know that Pavlyuchenkova is in such dire form that anyone who faces her has a good chance of winning. Pavlyuchenkova just seems lost at the moment, hitting with zero tactics and getting more and more erratic. Her movement will always be her problem and without someone to lecture her on her eating habits, she's not going to improve. Hingis proved to be a good guidance for the short while she was with her, but alas, the Swiss Miss couldn't handle the temptation and came back to play doubles. So where does this leave Nastya? Hopefully, the Russian is not that bad to lose to a local wildcard. If she loses this, I think she should take the rest of the year off to condition herself.

Pick: Pavlyuchenkova in 2 tight sets

Klara Zakopalova vs. Lucie Safarova

An all Czech battle as Klara Zakopalova takes on the fluctuating Lucie Safarova. Zakopalova's flat game seems to be working very well late into her career as she's achieving her best results on tour this year. Lucie has been abysmal throughout the year and I won't be surprised if the older Czech takes out the crazily inconsistent Lucie. Lucie needs to serve big and attack Klara's weak serve. Or else, she's going home pretty quickly.

Pick: Zakopalova in 2 sets

Yanina Wickmayer vs. Laura Robson

Wickmayer has been missing for much of this year and she will be looking to reverse the trend here in Toronto. She has a chance against the volatile Brit, Laura Robson. Robson was absolutely demolished by Kvitova last week in Carlsbad, despite having won the last match in Melbourne. The young Brit needs to rein in on her errors as not every ball needs to be hit for a winner. If Laura plays disciplined tennis, I don't see how Yanina can hurt her as Laura is the better ball striker.

Pick: Robson in 3 sets

Sure win bets: Roberta Vinci, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Sorana Cirstea
Upset alert: Sloane Stephens, Kiki Bertens, Lucie Safarova