Wimbledon day 9: Surprise semi-finalist in Makarova/Safarova

Upset of the previous day:

Ekaterina Makarova def. Agnieszka Radwanska 6-3 6-0

When your opponents posts statistics like 24 winners with just 7 errors, you just have to ackowledge that she's too good. Makarova played a very impressive and tidy match to leave yet another seed tumbling out of the tournament. With her powerful strokes, Agnieszka couldn't play her tricks and just got outhit by the Russian. This is in stark contrast with Makarova's first round encounter where she barely scraped past Kimiko Date-Krumm. With another winnable match next, Makarova looks set to make her slam semi-final debut.

Schedule of play:

http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/scores/schedule/index.html

Match focus:

Petra Kvitova vs. Barbora Zahlavova Strycova

Barbora continues to stun the tennis world by upsetting Caroline Wozniacki in the 4th round. Can she do it against the highest ranked Czech player on tour? This marks Petra's 5th consecutive quarter-final appearance here in Wimbledon, showing that her game is truly suited to the slick surface. With her thundering strokes and serve, Strycova cannot deploy her crafty drop shots and net play. If a baseline battle ensues, Kvitova will win 90% of them.

Pick: Kvitova in 2 sets

Lucie Safarova vs. Ekaterina Makarova

Before this tournament, Lucie Safarova was barely winning matches on grass. She turned the tides this year by making only her 2nd quarter-final in a Grand Slam with an unexpected run on her worst surface. Makarova will revel at this big opportunity to reach her first semi-finals, but will the occasion get to her? The heads to heads is tied at 1-1, but Makarova won their last encounter last year. Pretty evenly matched for these 2 southpaws, but on grass, you have to favour Makarova.

Pick: Makarova in 2 tight sets

Simona Halep vs. Zarina Diyas

Right after her second round struggle against Tsurenko, Halep rights the ship with a 6-4 6-1 rout of Belinda Bencic. This shows how much Halep is willing to take steps to correct her mistakes and play a better match on her next. Against unheralded Diyas, she will impose her game on the petite Kazakh. Zarina fights well, but against a player of Simona's calibre, it's not going to be enough.

Pick: Halep in 2 sets

Sabine Lisicki vs. Yaroslava Shvedova

With her biggest obstacle Ivanovic out of the way, Lisicki is poised to make yet another quarter-finals here in Wimbledon. Such is the uniqueness of this surface that one player can go completely missing for the whole year, and magically win consecutive matches here. Shvedova has a good grass court game, but Lisicki in Wimbledon is another story. Coupled with the Kazakh's weak mental game, it might be a demolition job for the German.

Pick: Lisicki in 2 sets

Eastbourne, Dan Bosch day 3: Unpredictable girls

Eastbourne schedule of play:

http://www.wtatennis.com/schedule/tournamentId/644/title/aegon-international

Dan Bosch schedule of play:

http://www.wtatennis.com/schedule/tournamentId/756/title/topshelf-open

Match focus:

Sloane Stephens vs. Caroline Wozniacki

Caroline is back in her winning ways with a good win over Samantha Stosur. Granted that Stosur's game is not suited for grass, any win for Caroline is a confidence booster. She meets the underachiever, Sloane Stephens. The American is a mystery in non-grand slam events, losing to players she should be owning. However, playing Caroline can be considered a big match, so I think Sloane will raise her level here. Even though Caroline lacks the match play, I think her game suits well against Sloane, and will prevail here.

Pick: Wozniacki in 2 tight sets

Varvara Lepchenko vs. Petra Kvitova

Kvitova is as always unpredictable. Scrapping through her first match against her pigeon, Lucie Safarova, she faces another lefty who can hit a mean ball. It seems that Petra is just content with being a top 10 player, with no real Grand Slam aspirations. Pity as she had the game to win multiple slams. We all know that Petra needs a new coach, a new approach to the game, but she is too stubborn to change. Oh well, watch Petra struggle her way to another win here.

Pick: Kvitova in 3 sets

Michaella Krajicek vs. Yaroslava Shvedova

Michaella Krajicek was once hailed as a future star of WTA until injuries and personal problems took a toll on her. Now at the age of 25, she's beginning to climb back into the top 100. On grass, her serve is a weapon. However, her lack of mobility is a problem and Yaroslava will be eager to exploit that. Shvedova seemed to have overcome her demons with an impressive win over Cibulkova. If she wins this match, it will signal a return to form for the Kazakh. Let's see how she handles the pressure of playing a hometown favourite.

Pick: Krajicek in 3 sets

Sure win bets: Camila Giorgi, Angelique Kerber, Simona Halep
Upset alert: Elena Vesnina, Kirsten Flipkens, Vania King

 

Eastbourne, Dan Bosch day 2: Azarenka's comeback

Eastbourne schedule of play:

http://www.wtatennis.com/schedule/tournamentId/644/title/aegon-international

Dan Bosch schedule of play:

http://www.wtatennis.com/schedule/tournamentId/756/title/topshelf-open

Match focus:

Victoria Azarenka vs. Camila Giorgi

Azarenka faces a tough match on her first tournament back after her injury. Giorgi's hard strokes work well on grass, and Victoria needs to be on the alert immediately. I guess it's too early in her comeback for Azarenka to spring back into winning matches, so I believe Camila will score an upset here. Victoria should just test if she's fully healed and gain some match play before Wimbledon.

Pick: Giorgi in 2 sets

Madison Keys vs. Jelena Jankovic

On grass, Keys' massive serve is a weapon. However, she doesn't have the patience to construct points, committing numerous silly errors. Jelena will attempt to exploit this flaw in Madison's game by retrieving all the balls that the American throws at her. Unless Keys commits no errors, Jelena will emerge the winner. Still, we can expect flashes of brilliance from Madison. However, flashes do not win the match.

Pick: Jankovic in 3 sets

Yaroslava Shvedova vs. Dominika Cibulkova

Yaroslava's famous golden set happened on grass courts, so it's obvious she's comfortable on the surface. Against Cibulkova, she definitely has a chance as Dominika doesn't excel on this surface. However, the mental game of Shvedova is brittle, and Dominika fights for every point like it's her last. Besides, Cibulkova is eager to erase her forgettable clay season with good results on grass. This will be close, but Dominika should be able to edge out a win.

Pick: Cibulkova in 3 sets


Sure win bets: Belinda Bencic, Petra Kvitova, Garbine Muguruza
Upset alert: Flavia Pennetta, Sara Errani, Roberta Vinci

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



Miami day 1: Can Puig kickstart her year here?

Schedule of play:

http://www.wtatennis.com/schedule/tournamentId/837/title/sony-open-tennis

Match focus:

Monica Puig vs. Magdalena Rybarikova

Monica Puig has won grand total of 1 match this entire year, against a lowly Tatishvili. She needs to start winning matches if she wants to stop this downward spiral, and will stand a good chance against Rybarikova. Magdalena isn't having a great year herself, winning 3 matches so far. The Puerto Rican has an all around game which can trouble the Slovak, but just needs to be patient on when to pull the trigger. Puig has beaten Magdalena once before, and I think she can do it again.

Pick: Puig in 3 sets

Iveta Melzer vs. Alisa Kleybanova

2 players coming back from a long break will vie for a place in the second round. Alisa had a nice run in Indian Wells, and should be the big favourite to win this match. Iveta is just too early in her comeback to start winning matches right away. But she shouldn't be disheartened as not everyone is like Kim Clijsters who can turn on a switch when they're back. Hopefully Melzer will play some challengers to get the wins and ease back into the main events.

Pick: Kleybanova in 2 sets

Yaroslava Shvedova vs. Francesca Schiavone

Shvedova doesn't have a good record against Schiavone, losing all 3 matches that she played with her. However, Schiavone is at her most vulnerable now, winning only 1 match the entire year. If she wants that first win, it is now or never. Yaroslava has always been a streaky player, and she's playing very well in this current good streak, reaching the semi-finals in Florianopolis, and 3rd round in Indian Wells. She has a chance at upsetting the Italian, but just needs to be patient and not go for ridiculous winners.

Pick: Shvedova in 3 sets

Sure win bets: Anna Schmiedlova, Bojana Jovanovski, Chanelle Scheepers
Upset alerts: Stefanie Voegele, Caroline Garcia, Elina Svitolina

Indian Wells day 5: Can Davis follow it up?

Schedule of play:

http://www.wtatennis.com/schedule/tournamentId/543/title/bnp-paribas-open

Match focus:

Varvara Lepchenko vs. Lauren Davis

Lauren Davis displayed her cool temperament in her dismissal of a disabled Azarenka. Can she do the same against a fully fit opponent like Varvara Lepchenko? This is their first meeting and both have had a turbulent season so far. Davis was impressive that she did not panic and rushing her shots when Azarenka had a mini-comeback. However, Lepchenko has the ability to play spectacular tennis when she has the time to hit her shots. Davis' forehand will be put to the test here as it's really a fluffy defensive shot. Lepchenko will pounce on that wing and hopefully take advantage of the open draw.

Pick: Lepchenko in 3 sets

Eugenie Bouchard vs. Sara Errani

This is the match where Bouchard needs to win to show that she deserves to be a top player. Against someone as stingy as Errani, Bouchard needs to come up with the goods and win the match, rather than Errani losing it. Sara's season so far is unimpressive, so Eugenie will have the advantage. If the Canadian loses this, maybe the success came too early and she's not ready for it.

Pick: Bouchard in 2 sets

Yaroslava Shvedova vs. Caroline Wozniacki

Interestingly, Shvedova enjoys a leading head to head against Wozniacki, beating her in their only meeting last year in Madrid. Can the Kazakh repeat her win? Or is the steady Dane going to scrap by again? Wozniacki was pretty tidy in her win over Jovanovski, so she should be back to her retrieving never-give-up self. It will be difficult for the inconsistent Yaroslava to keep hitting her spots. For once, I will go with Caroline, as Shvedova is too volatile to complete the win.

Pick: Wozniacki in 2 sets

Sure win bets: Agnieszka Radwanska, Caroline Wozniacki, Jelena Jankovic
Upset alert:  Sara Errani, Roberta Vinci, Carla Suarez Navarro

Acapulco, Florianopolis SF: Buckling under pressure

Some players thrive under pressure, while others just crawl back into their holes. Eugenie Bouchard has been thrusted into the limelight and the added pressure on her seems to be taking a toll, as she succumbs meekly to Caroline Garcia. I guess it was too much too soon for the Canadian.

Acapulco match focus:

Dominika Cibulkova vs. Zhang Shuai

Cibulkova ought to be careful of Zhang, as she showed her fighting capabilities in all her matches here in Acapulco. However, Dominika has the experience on her side, so she should be able to get through this match. Cibulkova just needs to protect her serve and let her groundstrokes do the work.

Pick: Cibulkova in 2 sets

Christina McHale vs. Caroline Garcia

Fresh from her upset win over Bouchard, Garcia must be brimming with confidence. If she carries her form forward, she might be able to reach her maiden WTA final. Both players have never reached a final before, so it will be a nervous affair. Garcia has more flair while McHale is more steady. Contrasting styles make this match an interesting affair, and I predict a close 3 set match here. Hopefully Garcia will fulfil her potential and show that she's no one match wonder.

Pick: Garcia in 3 tight sets

Florianopolis SF:

Carla Suarez Navarro vs. Klara Zakopalova

If only this was a final, we would have an extremely interesting situation here. Both players are well known to falter in the finals, with Suarez Navarro winning 0 out of 5 finals, and Zakopalova winning 2 out of 14 finals. Carla has won their last 2 meetings, but they are tied at 2 all. I do think that Klara should be exhausted from all her activity recently, so I think the Spaniard will emerge the victor. And hopefully, whoever wins this can finally clinch the title!

Pick: Suarez Navarro in 2 sets

Yaroslava Shvedova vs. Garbine Muguruza

For someone who is able to golden set a top 10 player, Shvedova is really an underachiever. She has always been a streaky player but her lows are more than her highs. This week, she hits a high with this semi-final appearance, but the problem is can she keep it up? For Shvedova, she needs to know when to play the right shot. She has all the shots, but her mental game is a mess and she fades when things don't go her way. Garbine however is a fighter. She might not have the quickest feet or the biggest serve, but she perseveres until the end. Against Yaroslava, the Spaniard just needs to weather the storm and wait for Shvedova to crumble.

Pick: Muguruza in 2 sets

Melbourne day 2: Be careful, Maria

Upset of the previous day:

Luksika Kumkhum def. Petra Kvitova

Just when I thought Kvitova is almost back, she throws in a performance like this to show that she has never improved since her Wimbledon triumph. Luksika is a dangerous hard hitter, but with Petra's superior serve and experience, she should have taken this easily. Credit to the Thai girl, who went for her shots fearlessly, but Petra was just a mess out there. Kvitova's last 4 major losses were to Hampton, Flipkens, Riske and now, Kumkhum. She needs a new coach, a new direction, a change. If not, she's just going to be a one slam wonder.

Schedule of play:

http://www.ausopen.com/en_AU/scores/schedule/index.html

Match focus:

Bethanie Mattek-Sands vs. Maria Sharapova

Maria Sharapova better have her A game on as Bethanie Mattek-Sands is a dangeous floater for anyone. Just last week, she completely overpowered Agnieszka Radwanska to score her biggest win of her career. If Maria is not match-fit, she might be the highest seed to get bounced out. The key to the match for Maria, is to be the first to strike. Bethanie will always be the aggressor, so if Sharapova takes the initiative, Mattek-Sands will be rushed into errors. It will be a tough match, but I believe Sharapova will squeak out this one.

Pick: Sharapova in 3 sets

Andrea Petkovic vs. Magdalena Rybarikova

Andrea's comeback wasn't the smoothest, but slowly she's inching up the rankings step by step. She faces Rybarikova, a very winnable match. Magdalena has pieced together a good pre-US Open run, which resulted in her seeding. But outside of that, she has done practically nothing. Petkovic has more big match experience despite their relative same age, and looks poised to upset the Slovak.

Pick: Petkovic in 2 sets

Kaia Kanepi vs. Garbine Muguruza

One of the more even matched up matches, Hobart winner Muguruza will clash with experienced Kaia Kanepi for a place in round 2. Muguruza will be a tough cookie for Kanepi to crack, but the Estonian likes the Australian surface, having won in Brisbane a few years ago, and pushing Sharapova to 3 sets. What is important is that Garbine might still be elated about her win in Hobart and suffer a 'hangover'. Kaia, barring any injury, should be able to tame the dangerous Spaniard in 3 sets.

Pick: Kanepi in 3 sets

Francesca Schiavone vs. Dominika Cibulkova

Cibulkova has a bad habit of bombing out of slam events after having good results in the warm-ups. With her so-so warm-up results, it seems that Dominika will finally live up to her seeding this time. Schiavone has more experience, but Cibulkova has the legs and power. Schiavone's spinny shots will be sitting fodder for the Slovak to hit for winners. It will take a very inspired performance from the Italian to upset the hard hitting Dominika.

Pick: Cibulkova in 2 sets

Sloane Stephens vs. Yaroslava Shvedova

The real question here is how injured is Sloane? She pulled out of Sydney as a precaution because of wrist pain, but was it just to have more time to prepare? Yaroslava can blow hot and cold, so it is very important for Stephens not to let her get into a rhythm. With Sloane's pesky counter-punching game, Shvedova will not be able to dominate the American, that is if Stephens is fully recovered.

Pick: Stephens in 2 sets

Sure win bets: Victoria Azarenka, Caroline Wozniacki, Agnieszka Radwanska, Galina Voskoboeva, Simona Halep
Upset alert: Magdalena Rybarikova, Sorana Cirstea, Camila Giorgi, Ayumi Morita, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova