Linz, Osaka, Tianjin finals: Riske claims her maiden crown

Linz finals:

Karolina Pliskova def. Camila Giorgi 6-7(4) 6-3 7-6(4)

Camila Giorgi certainly has to rein down her ultra aggressive game, and stengthen up her mental game because she just gives away too many free points. Pliskova served well and had some goo returns, but Camila's game is just too hit or miss to really win anything significant. Giorgi came all the way from 1-5 down and wasted a match point on Pliskova's serve, showing how up and down her game is. Hopefully she will find a middle ground for her game as when she's nervous and piling up the errors, she's already putting herself at a disadvantage. With this win, Pliskova bolsters her chance of making the mini-YEC in Sofia, and with some steady results in slams, I'm sure Karolina will be a staple hold in the top 20.

Osaka finals:

Samatha Stosur def. Zarina Diyas 7-6(7) 6-3

As expected, Stosur claims her 3rd title in Osaka, defending her title from last year. Samantha always does well in this tournament, and will be looking to qualify for the mini-YEC in Sofia as well. Diyas played well for her first final, but losing the first set in such a tight manner did her in. If Zarina somehow edged out the first set, I'm sure she will be more confident of her chances. Nevertheless, it's been a stellar year for the young Kazakh, going from outside the top 100 to firmly in the top 40. I believe she can be a steady top 30 player if she keeps up her form.

Tianjin finals:

Alison Riske def. Belinda Bencic 6-3 6-4

Belinda Bencic must be too nervous at the aspect of becoming the youngest winner since 2006. She was not her steady best, while Alison just had to be solid with her game. The American had an uneven season this year, but her last season form has been solid, culminating in her maiden title run. Alison's game is still a bit hit and miss for me, so it'll be interesting to see how she follows up after this triumph. As for Belinda, time is on her side, so 2015 will be an exciting year for her after her first full season.

Linz. Osaka, Tianjin final: 3 peat for Stosur

Linz final:

Camila Giorgi vs. Karolina Pliskova

Karolina Pliskova is having a very good season, making her 5th final of the year. She faces the hard hitting Giorgi, whose all-or-nothing game seems to be tailored to the fast indoor surface. Giorgi will be hunting for her first title, so there will definitely be nerves. When the Italian gets nervous, the only way she knows how to deal with it is to hit harder. Sometimes it pays off, sometimes it doesn't. Against Pliskova's hige serve, I am leaning towards the Czech player as she has a more powerful and reliable serve compared to the Italian's erratic one. However, you'll never know which Giorgi will show up.

Pick: Pliskova in 3 sets

Osaka final:

Samantha Stosur vs. Zarina Diyas

Osaka is Samantha's favourite hunting ground. She always seem to find her game in this Japanese city, having won her first title and kickstarted her last season revival last year. I think Stosur will be poised to win her 3rd title here as Diyas is making her final debut and will definitely be nervous. Stosur's game doesn't work well against tall hard hitting players, which Diyas is neither. The Kazakh is more of a scrappy counterpuncher, who can be overpowered. Stosur's spinny and unorthodox game will be difficult for the young rising star to deal with.

Pick: Stosur in 2 sets

Tianjin final:

Alison Riske vs. Belinda Bencic

Both final debutantes, I believe this final will be a nervy affair. Bencic is trying to be the youngest title winner since 2006 at 16 years old. Not too sure whether is will spur her on or add pressure to her shoulders, but I think the calm Swiss Miss has the more well-rounded game. Riske's game is a pleasure when it's on, but when she feels the pressure, she can spray the balls all over the court. Bencic's more steady and counterpunching game is more dependable, and will be the slight favourite to capture her first title.

Pick: Bencic in 2 sets

Linz, Osaka, Tianjin SF: Rising stars mke SF debut

Linz schedule of play:

http://www.wtatennis.com/schedule/tournamentId/461/title/generali-ladies-linz

Osaka schedule of play:

http://www.wtatennis.com/schedule/tournamentId/340/title/japan-womens-open-tennis

Tianjin schedule of play:

http://www.wtatennis.com/schedule/tournamentId/3783/title/tianjin-open--tianjin-china

Match focus:

Anna-Lena Friedsam vs. Karolina Pliskova

I cannot comment much on Anna-Lena's game as I have honestly never seen her play before. The young German rising star has had a dream run to her semi-final debut, and will be facing the in-form Karolina Pliskova. Judging by Pliskova's form in recent months, it's a tough task for the youngster to stage another upset. The fast indoor surface suits Pliskova's huge serve, so Friedsam will need to go for her own shots more. I believe Karolina will win this and reach yet another final, her 5th this year.

Pick: Pliskova in 2 sets

Zarina Diyas vs. Luksika Kumkhum

Both these players were nominated for the Rising Stars poll to play in a mini-exhibition in Singapore, and Diyas made it to the top 2 in the Asia Pacific region. However, judging by recent form, I would have to say Kumkhum does stand a chance. Luksika's all-or-nothing game has been reaping rewards for her, capturing a gold medal in Asian games doubles and a silver in singles. If she continues to hit the lines and play with courage, she can hit the slightly underpowered Diyas off the court. Zarina will really need to be patient and "push" to irritate the Thai. With her maturing game and rising ranking, I think Diyas will eventually find a way to overcome the rather one-dimensional game of Luksika.

Pick: Diyas in 3 sets

Zheng Saisai vs. Alison Riske

Zheng Saisai makes her semi-final debut as well, showing why she's one of the rising stars coming to Singapore. Against the hard-hitting Riske, I do think she has a good chance of reaching her maiden final. Riske plays a high-risk game as her names suggests, and Saisai has the game to neutralize the flat balls that Alison is sending to her. Zheng has been patient so far with her game, and I believe she has what it takes to outlast the American and reach her first WTA final, provided her nerves doesn't get to her.

Pick: Zheng in 3 sets

Sure win bets: Camila Giorgi, Samantha Stosur
Upset alert: Peng Shuai

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

Wimbledon day 6: Serena to exact revenge

Upset of the previous day:

Barbora Strycova Zahlavova def. Li Na 7-6(5) 7-6(5)

Li Na has once again been ousted before the 2nd week with an inspired performance by Barbora. The Czech player served well, and ventured to the net behind strong approach shots. Li can only concede defeat to a player who played better than her. Strycova is stringing a nice grass season, with a final showing in Birmingham and now a 4th round. Let's see if she can continue her form and live up to her hype when she was a junior player.

Schedule of play:

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

Match focus:

Serena Williams vs. Alize Cornet

Alize Cornet claimed the biggest win of her career earlier this year in Dubai against Serena Williams. The American will be hungry for revenge this time, on her favourite surface. On grass, there is no contest. Alize's shots do not bounce as high as clay or hard courts, giving Serena ample time to hit them in her sweet spot. Add that with Serena's formidable serve, it's au revoir Cornet.

Pick: Williams 2 sets

Ana Ivanovic vs. Sabine Lisicki

Defending finalist Sabine Lisicki will face her first big test against recent Birmingham winner, Ana Ivanovic. The Serbian has been winning matches regularly this year, and will be the favourite here. However, Sabine clearly adores the green turf of Wimbledon. Can she put up another inspired performance and upset the more accomplished Ana. First, she'll have to attack Ana's second serves, and put up a strong service game. If Ana has doubts in her head, it'll be Sabine's chance. Still, I believe the volatile Sabine has too much pressure on her shoulders this year, and will succumb to the expectations.

Pick: Ivanovic in 3 sets

Vera Zvonareva vs. Zarina Diyas

Look who's back in the 3rd round of Wimbledon! Vera certainly surprised me, (and maybe herself) with 2 wins in a row. The former finalist will be very happy with her results now, and has a winnable match here in her hands. Zarina is still young and inexperienced, so the Russian has to seize the opportunity here and get herself into the 2nd week. Still, Diyas game is compact and will pose a threat. Vera will need to cover the court well and force Zarina to come up with the winner.

Pick: Zvonareva in 2 sets

Andrea Petkovic vs. Eugenie Bouchard

Surprisingly, Eugenie has never beaten Petkovic in 3 tries. However, their last 2 matches were very close, and Andrea only won by the smallest margin. This time, I believe Bouchard will be ready for Petkovic. Given that Andrea's game doesn't really match well with grass, Eugenie's game of taking the ball early will have the advantage. Another plus point for Eugenie is that she's winning her matches despite not playing her best tennis. This is a mark of a top player. Still, I think it will be a close one.

Pick: Bouchard in 3 sets

Sure win bets: Madison Keys, Serena Williams, Simona Halep, Maria Sharapova
Upset alert: Zarina Diyas,

Roland Garros day 2: Lacklustre Sloane

Schedule of play:

http://www.rolandgarros.com/en_FR/scores/schedule/index.html

Match focus:

Sloane Stephens vs. Peng Shuai

Sloane Stephens's lack of drive is driving her supporters crazy. She only seems to be interested in bigger events and flops spectacularly in smaller ones. Peng is a handy player and will not hesistate to punish any laziness from the American. Still, this is a Grand Slam event; so I expect more interest from Sloane. Nevertheless, coming into the tournament with almost zero wins will dent her confidence. Someone needs to show Sloane that tennis players need to give their all in all their matches.

Pick: Peng in 2 sets

Monica Puig vs. Samantha Stosur

Freshly off winning a title in Strasbourg, Monica comes into Paris full of confidence. However, she needs to start focusing early as she faces former finalist, Samantha Stosur. The Australian hasn't had the best preparation for Paris, but still excels on this surface. While I believe Puig doesn't have any problems dealing with Stosur's slices, the Australian's spinny forehand and serves will pose a problem. Also, I think the expectations to do well after a good result will weigh on Puig. This is the first time where she had to defend any major points, so I think she has more added pressure on her.

Pick: Stosur in 3 sets

Dominika Cibulkova vs. Virginie Razzano

Cibulkova has had a disastrous clay season so far. Will Razzano add to her suffering? Well, Virginie isn't playing her best tennis that's for sure, but she will be buoyed by the home support. If Virginie gets on a roll and gains in confidence, there's a chance that she can create another memorable upset. Nevertheless, I think Cibulkova still has enough game to overcome the aging Razzano.

Pick: Cibulkova in 2 tight sets

Petra Kvitova vs. Zarina Diyas

If Zarina hadn't retired in her previous match with an injury, I would have given her a chance to upset the crazy Kvitova. All she needs to do is keep the ball in play anyway. However with her hampered movement, it's almost impossible to mount the upset, and Petra got lucky again. Let's hope Zarina is recovered well enough to make this match interesting.

Pick: Kvitova in 2 sets

Sure win bets: Maria Sharapova, Alize Cornet, Jelena Jankovic, Svetlana Kuznetsova, Karolina Pliskova
Upset alert: Marina Erakovic, Jana Cepelova, Bojana Jovanovski, Elena Vesnina, Vania King