US Open day 2: All eyes on Serena

Upset of the previous day:

Mirjana Lucic-Baroni def. Garbine Muguruza 6-3 7-6(4)

Looks like Garbine is still struggling to find the consistency to win matches that she's supposed to win. Mirjana can be classified as a has-been, being over 30 and not achieving anything significant for the past 2 to 3 years. Not saying that Mirjana cannot hit a good ball, but Garbine should have been able to weather the storm. Disappointing end of the year for the Spaniard after starting her season so well. Looks like she still needs a lot of maturing to do.

Match focus:

Serena Williams vs. Taylor Townsend

I believe it will be a dream come true for Taylor Townsend to play against Serena, a woman who she has idolised and aspired to be. Just on that point alone, Serena will be able to stamp her authority, and start her US Open campaign on a good note. It will be Taylor's first time playing on the gigantic Arthur Ashe stadium, so it will take her some time to settle down as well. By the time she does that, the match might be over. The only question is if Serena is too eager to prove the doubters wrong. If she rushes things, she might give away too many free points and bolster Taylor's confidence.

Pick: Serena in 2 sets

Flavia Pennetta vs. Julia Goerges

As with all Goerges' matches, you'll never know when peak Julia will show up. Right now, Goerges is going through a drought, losing almost every match in sight, but still manages to spring an occasional surprise from time to time. Against a less than optimal Pennetta, can she do the same? Well, Flavia is defending major points here, so she definitely feels the pressure here. However, I believe Flavia is experienced enough to let Julia self-implode to advance to the next round.

Pick: Pennetta in 2 tight sets

Mona Barthel vs. Zhang Shuai

Somehow, Zhang Shuai finds herself seeded at 32 despite never winning a Grand Slam main draw match before. Mona Barthel will be relieved at drawing the weakest seed in the draw, and will revel at the chance of at least reaching the 3rd round. Zhang's game is elementary, and her high ranking mostly consists of lower tier events, where competition is much lower. I expect an upset of sorts here.

Pick: Barthel in 2 sets

Klara Koukalova vs. Petra Cetkovska

Here is a fun fact. Klara Koukalova has never won a singles match in US Open in her long career. Will she break the duck here against her compatriot Cetkovska? Well, both players haven't been playing well recently, so this match is pretty even. On the whole, I believe Klara has had a better year, and should stand a chance to break the curse. She just needs to believe in herself more and stop sulking so much.

Pick: Koukalova in 3 sets

Francesca Schiavone vs. Vania King

Francesca Schiavone holds the record for the longest consecutive Grand Slam appearances for active players, and will like her chances against Vania King. The Italian's all court game will test the feisty American. Schiavone needs to attack King's weak delivery, and make Vania guess by using drop shots and lobs, not letting King get into the rhythm. All in all, I think this is a very winnable match for the veteran.

Pick: Schiavone in 2 sets

Sure win bets: Petra Kvitova, Madison Keys, Eugenie Bouchard, Dominika Cibulkova, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova
Upset alert: Pauline Parmentier, Zhang Shuai

Stanford, Washington day 4: Venus to trump rusty Azarenka

Stanford schedule of play:

http://www.wtatennis.com/schedule/tournamentId/637/title/bank-of-the-west-classic

Washington schedule of play:

http://www.wtatennis.com/schedule/tournamentId/2182/title/citi-open

Match focus:

Victoria Azarenka vs. Venus Williams

Venus Williams will be happy that she's facing a rusty Azarenka, who has won only one match since her return from injury. Not that the elder Williams's isn't capable of beating Azarenka when she's healthy, but coupled with her auto-immune illness, you take whatever advantage you can get. Victoria's best surface is the hard courts though, so she might put up a good fight.

Pick: Venus in 3 sets

Garbine Muguruza vs. Daniela Hantuchova

Fresh from her upset win over Cibulkova, Muguruza will like her chances against fading veteran Daniela Hantuchova. The Slovak is barely hanging onto her ranking, and is only bolstered by her surprise quarter-final appearance in US Open last year. Daniela needs to disrupt Garbine's rhythm and attack the net whenever possible. However, if the Spaniard is firing, it's difficult to get a chance to volley.

Pick: Muguruza in 2 sets

Vania King vs. Christina McHale

All American clash as Vania King takes on Christina McHale. Christina took out 4th seed Sloane Stephens in 3 tight sets, but it was worth nothing that Sloane doesn't bring her best tennis to smaller events. King has the experience and leads the heads to heads against Mchale 2-0. Although the wins were during 2010, I think King has the game to upset the relatively passive Christina. Vania needs to take good care of her serve and attack the net when possible.

Pick: King in 3 sets

Strasbourg, Nurnberg day 3: Germans all around

Strasbourg schedule of play:

http://www.wtatennis.com/schedule/tournamentId/341/title/internationaux-de-strasbourg

Nurnberg schedule of play:

http://www.wtatennis.com/schedule/tournamentId/3204/title/n%FCrnberger-versicherungscup

Match focus:

Julia Goerges vs. Lauren Davis

Julia Goerges took out Sloane Stephens easily as expected, but runs into her nightmare, Lauren Davis. This 2 have met twice this year, and Davis won both of them, including the most recent one in Rome. On clay, Goerges should have the upper hand, but Davis' pesky game will always give Julia fits. The German needs to apply controlled aggression and attack on suitable points. Easier said then done. Look out for another meltdown from Julia after an upset.

Pick: Davis in 3 sets

Andrea Petkovic vs. Vania King

With the top 3 seeds all dropping out in their opening match, the spotlight is now on Petkovic, the highest seed left. She will face the dangeous Vania King for a spot in the quarter-finals. Vania is a good player who can beat players on their bad day. The problem with King is she tends to take sets off, without winning matches. Andrea is not playing badly at the moment, so I think she should be able to cruise through this match. Is the title going to be hers? Let's see who she faces in her next rounds.

Pick: Petkovic in 2 sets

Mona Barthel vs. Annika Beck

It will always be difficult to predict a Mona Barthel match as you just don't know which Barthel will show up. Mona did very well to oust Belinda Bencic in her opening match, and will be looking forward to winning against compatriat, Annika Beck. That win against Bencic should give her the needed confidence to overcome the passive Annika. Mona needs to have patience and attack on the right opportunities. This will be a close match, but I believe Barthel should be able to snap out of her slump and beat Beck.

Pick: Barthel in 3 sets

Acapulco, Florianopolis day 1: Clay season continues in South America

For clay court specialists, clay season continues in Brazil, while others prepare for the North American hard court swin by entering Acapulco.

Acapulco schedule of play:

http://www.wtatennis.com/schedule/tournamentId/87/title/abierto-mexicano-telcel

Florianopolis schedule:

http://www.wtatennis.com/schedule/tournamentId/3024/title/brasil-tennis-cup

Match focus:

Stefanie Voegele vs. Kimiko Date-Krumm

Stefanie's form has been on the rise for the past one year, and she looks set to continue her rich rein of form against the veteran, Kimiko Date-Krumm. The pair has met 3 times, with Voegele leading the head-to-head 2-1. It will be difficult for the Japanese to beat the younger more energetic Voegele, but she can disrupt her rhythm by throwing different balls at the Swiss. This will be a close match, but I think Voegele will sneak out the win.

Pick: Voegele in 3 sets

Kristine Mladenovic vs. Christina McHale

These 2 are ranked respectively at 72 and 71, so there's little to separate them. The problem with Mladenovic is that she has all the power, but not the discipline to use it effectively. McHale lacks in raw power, but she knows when to hit hard, and when to just hang in there. So it's a tough call, Mladenovic might just have her day and totally dominate McHale. Still, I think the steadier American will win as Kristina always loses her concentration after a few bad shots.

Pick: McHale in 2 tight sets

Vania King vs. Garbine Muguruza

Vania King has had a mixed bag of results recently. She defeated Errani in Shenzhen, and now is on a 4 match losing streak, reaching a new low when she lost to Begu last week. Clay obviously isn't the surface for her, so I wonder why she's playing here instead of Acapulco. Garbine will be more familiar with the red stuff, despite her better results on hard courts. King will have to put on an inspired performance to have a chance against te in-form Muguruza.

Pick: Muguruza in 2 sets

Sure win bets: Carla Suarez Navarro, Marina Erakovic, Bojana Jovanovski
Upset alert: Francesca Schiavone, Patricia Mayr-Achleitner

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