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

Linz, Osaka, Tianjin QF: Keys ready for the next level?

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:

Camila Giorgi vs. Marina Erakovic

With the lightnig fast surface, it's no wonder these 2 players have posted good results here. Out of these 2 players, I would say Giorgi has the more lethal game on the indoor surface. The Italian's flat serve and groundstrokes have been clicking so far, so it's difficult to get into a rhythm with her playing so well. Marina will need to disrupt Camila's rhythm by using slices and volleys to rush her. It won't be an easy task though, with the way Camila has been playing.

Pick: Giorgi in 2 tight sets

Luksika Kumkhum vs. Madison Keys

Madison Keys has won her first title this year, but has since regressed back into her erratic ways. The American has the game to be a solid top 20 player, but has to rein in her aggressive play at the right time. This probably wouldn't happen too often, but Keys is facing an opponent with an even more aggressive mindset than her. Kumkhum can wallop the ball as well as anybody, but her lack of a defensive game puts her at a disadvantage when she's pulled wide. Both players need plenty of maturing to do, but Keys should be the one who is more experienced in the big stage.

Pick: Keys in 2 sets

Zheng Saisai vs. Sorana Cirstea

With her huge upset over Jankovic, Zheng Saisai will need to focus immediately on another dangerous opponent in former top 20 player Cirstea. The Romanian has rekindled her fire recently, and will be the slight favourite here. Zheng will need to play a very steady and counter punching game against the hard hitting Sorana. If the Chinese can get the Romanian riled up, she can cause another upset. However, Zheng has the habit of faltering after a big win, so I expect Sorana to cruise.

Pick: Cirstea in 2 sets

Sure win bets: Belinda Bencic, Varvara Lepchenko, Samantha Stosur
Upset alert: Zarina Diyas

Linz, Osaka, Tianjin day 4: All Aussie clash in Japan

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:

Magdalena Rybarikova vs. Karin Knapp

Karin Knapp had a great close match with Sharapova in Melbourne, and she carried her momentum onlwards with a few good matches thereafter. However, she fell off the radar soon and was losing every match in sight. She finally recaptured her form with a title run in Tashkent, and now with an upset win over Lisicki. Rybarikova also had an uneven year, from upsetting Simona Halep to losing to Misa Eguchi. The Slovak might also be carrying an injury, having retired from her last two tournaments. So I believe Knapp has what it takes to win this. The Italian has heavy groundstrokes and a big serve. If she can attack Magdalena's vulnerable backhand, she has a good chance.

Pick: Knapp in 3 sets

Samantha Stosur vs. Jarmila Gajdosova

Stosur had a good run in Beijing, and will be eager to defend her title here in Osaka. The Aussie has a ton of points to defend, having won here last year, and reaching the finals of Moscow and Sofia after. The pressure will definitely be on her, that's why Gajdosova has a chance. Jarmila is slowly regaining back her form after almost 2 years of personal problems. If she plays with no fear, she has the game to derail the higher ranked Aussie, having beaten her before. Jarmila needs this more, so I'm going with the upset here.

Pick: Gajdosova in 3 sets

Jelena Jankovic vs. Zheng Saisai

With her worrying back injury, Jankovic might just withdraw before this match happens. Nevertheless, if she takes on Zheng Saisai, it might not be as straightforward as believed. Zheng has the partisan Chinese crowd behind her, and with Jelena's compromised movement and serve, she might very well cause an upset here. Jelena should really rest up for this season, as she does seem to be mentally exhausted, losing matches she's supposed to win for the latter part of the year.

Pick: Zheng in 3 sets

Sure win bets: Peng Shuai, Lauren Davis, Zarina Diyas, Jana Cepelova, Karolina Pliskova
Upset alerts: Jelena Jankovic, Samantha Stosur, Zhang Shuai, Magdalena Rybarikova

Kuala Lumpur day 2: Depleted field

Schedule of play:

http://www.wtatennis.com/schedule/tournamentId/1761/title/bmw-malaysian-open

Match focus:

Hsieh Su-Wei vs. Jarmila Gajdosova

It's tough to believe that Hsieh was a former winner here 2 years ago. The Taiwanese had a breakout year in 2012, but has since slumped terribly, barely winning matches. She will try to recapture her former glory here, but will face former top 30 player Jarmila Gajdosova. The Australian can beat anyone on her good day, but is always let down by her impatience and wrong shot selection. Jarmila also had good results here, reaching the semi-finals here in 2010. If she keeps her cool, she has a winnable match here. Hsieh's shots will not be penetrative enough to trouble Jarmila.

Pick: Gajdosova in 2 tight sets

Donna Vekic vs. Chan Yung-Jan

Donna has been hitting the ball recently, and I wouldn't be surprised if she goes far here. She will face the hard hitting Chan in her first round. Chan's ball striking ability is fantastic, but is let down by her lack of fitness conditioning. If she sheds her excess weight, I'm sure her results will be much more better. However, she has been maintaining this weight for several years, so I don't believe she has the drive or belief to improve herself. Vekic should be able to take advantage of Chan's lack of movement to cruise to an easy victory.

Pick: Vekic in 2 sets

Zheng Saisai vs. Zhang Shuai

In this all Chinese battle, 2nd seed Zhang Shuai will face former youth Olympic champion Zheng Saisai. Zhang has been nursing an injury since Acapulco and might not be 100%. It is up to Zheng to test the injury and pounce on any chance that Zhang gives. Saisai has a scrappy game, and she needs to tire Zhang and make her hit the errors. The only worry for Saisai is that she tends to choke away close matches. Let's see if she can hold her nerve this time.

Pick: Zheng in 3 sets

Sure win bets: Olga Savchuk, Kimiko Date-Krumm, Patricia Mayr-Achleitner
Upset alert: Tadeja Majeric, Hsieh Su-Wei, Timea Babos