Miami day 4: Wozniacki under fire

Schedule of play:

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

Match focus:

Monica Puig vs. Caroline Wozniacki

Wozniacki's will face a hard hitting youngster in Monica Puig, as she struggles to keep her season afloat. Monica has the tools to beat the passive Dane, but will her mind allow it? It is no secret that Monica has trouble closing out matches, so Wozniacki will need to make her win the points. If she hangs on long enough, the Puerto Rican may implode and hand the match over.

Pick: Wozniacki in 3 sets

Alize Cornet vs. Andrea Petkovic

Alize recently split with her coach, which is a surprise as she is enjoying her best results in a while. Can Andrea take advantage of that and claim another win over the Frenchwoman? Petkovic came close last month in Paris, where she lost a tight 3 setter to Alize and will be keen for revenge. However, her form has been fluctuating up and down. Against Cornet, she needs to be steadier than her, which is difficult. A tight match is expected, but the German will crumble when pressure increases.

Pick: Cornet in 3 sets

Daniela Hantuchova vs. Madison Keys

Daniela is on a 4 match losing streak and looks set to extend that streak against Keys. Madison's explosive game can take out the veteran, but is she disciplined enough to do it? The problem with Madison is her choice of shots. Once she gets a good coach to drill shot discipline into her, she will be a force to be reckoned with. An upset is possible here.

Pick: Keys in 2 sets

Sure win bets: Venus Williams, Dominika Cibulkova, Simona Halep, Carla Suarez Navarro, Sloane Stephens
Upset alert: Elena Vesnina, Daniela Hantuchova, Garbine Muguruza, Kaia Kanepi, Roberta Vinci

Miami day 3: Seeds start play

Schedule of play:

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

Match focus:

Ana Ivanovic vs. Lauren Davis

Ana hasn't been the same ever since her win over Serena Williams. Or should I put it that Ana has returned to her old self after her win over the world number 1. The win catapulted her back into the limelight, and she seemed to be unable to handle the added pressure again. She is experiencing random losses again, losing to players she should have beaten. She will be pushed hard by an in form Lauren Davis, who can trouble the Serbian. Still, I think Ana can win this match if she plays her game and not rush too much.

Pick: Ivanovic in 3 sets

Nadia Petrova vs. Sabine Lisicki

One of the more vulnerable seeds, Lisicki really needs a whole lot of discipline to tame her powerful game. Her wham bam tennis can be pleasing, but when it goes wrong, it's catastrophic. Nadia just had a long battle with Urzula Radwanska, and should be feeling the effects. Sabine should be able to win this. If she loses, I think she needs a sports psychiatrist more than anything.

Pick: Lisicki in 3 sets

Maria Sharapova vs. Kurumi Nara

Sharapova will need to be careful of the rising Kurumi Nara. The Japanese hits a good ball and is lightning quick around the court. However, as with Asians, Kurumi's achilles heel will always be the serve. Sharapova will attack the serve and try to dominate from the baseline. The Russian needs to serve well, but given her recent woes with her shoulder again, I highly doubt so. Let's hope she can improve on her game, as she has major points to defend here.

Pick: Sharapova in 2 tight sets

Sure win bets: Serena Williams, Ekaterina Makarova, Sara Errani, Petra Kvitova
Upset alert: Sorana Cirstea, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova

Miami day 2: Bumper day of matches

Schedule of play:

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

Match focus:

Christina McHale vs. Zheng Jie

This will be the pair's first meeting, which is quite a surprise given that these 2 have been on tour for a relatively long time. Only 3 ranking spots separate these 2, so it's difficult to say for sure who's the favourite. As of current form, I would give the edge to Christina. She reached the finals in Acapulco, and lost a tight match against an in form Dellacqua. Zheng was pretty bad in her match against Li, but hopefully she'll do better here. A close match should be in the cards, with the American winning.

Pick: McHale in 3 sets

Maria-Teresa Torro Flor vs. Andrea Petkovic

For a former top 10 player, Petkovic is really struggling to find her level again. She has been abysmal so far this year, losing to players she should be beating. She gets a soft draw here, with Torro-Flor winning only 2 matches so far this year. Granted that one of her wins was against Kerber, Torro-Flor had a good day and was immediately brought down to earth the next day. Petkovic just needs to get that extra ball back and make Torro-Flor rush. If the German loses this, it might spell big trouble.

Pick: Petkovic in 2 sets

Nadia Petrova vs. Urszula Radwanska

Nadia Petrova retired from her first round match in Indian Wells, which might indicate that she's not fully fit for this match. Pity because this is a winnable match for the Russian, as Radwanska is fresh in her comeback and is extremely rusty. If her body holds up, I believe Nadia has the game to take apart Urszula. However, with that worrying retirement, I don't believe she can get the job done.

Pick: Radwanska in 3 sets

Zheng Shuai vs. Lauren Davis

Zhang Shuai is nursing an injury, so Lauren will be the favourite here. Davis must be one of the most unlucky players on tour, having being stung by a wasp, and suffering from a stomach upset after her biggest win. One week should be enough for her to recover and take out the Chinese. Both players play a relatively same game, but Davis will be higher in confidence, and getting the home crowd support.

Pick: Davis in 2 sets

Peng Shuai vs. Karolina Pliskova

Peng's focus has been on doubles for a while now, so Pliskova has a chance here to topple the Chinese. Karolina is armed with a huge serve, but just needs to be more imaginative with her groundstrokes. Peng will need to defend her serve well and hope for a lapse of concentration from the Czech. With their recent form, I think Karolina will win this encounter, but Peng will definitely give a good fight.

Pick: Pliskova in 2 tight sets

Sure win bets: Madison Keys, Alison Riske, Mona Barthel, Karin Knapp, Yvonne Meusburger
Upset alert: Alexandra Cadantu, Marina Erakovic, Peng Shuai, Zheng Jie, Zhang Shuai

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 report card: Veterans rule

A+: Flavia Pennetta

Biggest title at the age of 32. Doesn't get any better than this. Much deserved for the underachiever.

A: Agnieszka Radwanska

Unfortunate injury in the finals, but showcased her peak form against Simona Halep and Jelena Jankovic

A-: Simona Halep

Bumped into an on form Radwanska. If not, she might be holding the title now.

B+: Jelena Jankovic

Similar to Halep, unfortunate to meet flawless Radwanska. Looks like she's back to her peak.

B: Li Na

Never played well throughout a match in this tournament and still managed to reach the semi-finals.

B-: Casey Dellacqua

The comeback Aussie had a nice run to the quarters which will give her ranking a much neede boost.

C+: Lauren Davis

Extremely unlucky for her to suffer from an upset stomach when she's playing so well. The one to watch in future events.

C: Eugenie Bouchard

Did well to dismiss Errani, but faltered in the crucial point against Simona. Still needs to learn to handle the pressure.

C-: Camila Giorgi

Outhit Sharapova in a classic ball bashing match. Was sent crashing down to Earth though by someone who doesn't just know how to bash the ball.

D: Caroline Wozniacki

Dismissed easily by Jankovic. Tough pill to swallow for the defending finalist. Plunges to 18, lowest ranking in a while.

E: Maria Sharapova

Defending champion was out of sorts, made too many gross errors. Didn't deserve to win, but didn't expect her to crash out to a lowly Giorgi.

F: Victoria Azarenka

Why bother playing when you are injured? Puzzling decision.

Indian Wells final: Pennetta shocks Radwanska for biggest title

Indian Wells final:

Flavia Pennetta def. Agnieszka Radwanska 6-2 6-1

What an absolute surprise for Flavia Pennetta to claim on of the tour's biggest title. The Italian cruised past an injured Radwanska for the biggest title of her career at the age of 32. Kudos to her for not giving up as she had a miserable return to tour last year. It seems that experience is more important on the tour these days and it is in dire need of new stars. Until then, old veterans like Flavia and Li will continue to have their day. Well done Flavia! With almost nothing to defend until US Open, it's almost a guarantee that she will re-enter the top 10 in coming months.

Indian Wells F: Surprise finalists

Indian Wells final:

Flavia Pennetta vs. Agnieszka Radwanska

How wrong as I in assuming that we were heading for a Li vs. Halep final. Radwanska was superb in handling Simona's game. She attacked the net when necessary, and seemed to finally find a way to overcome the Romanian's game. The bigger surprise was Pennetta, who kept her calm and played the right shots at the right time. Li was pretty bad though, but the Italian deserved the win. These 2 just met a few weeks ago in Dubai, with Pennetta scoring the upset. Will she repeat the win and win her first Premier mandatory title? It's apparent that the tour is dominated by experienced players rather than young guns now, with Pennetta getting her best results in her 30s. I think the Italian has the game to win the title, but given that this is her first Premier mandatory final, she's bound to get the jitters. Radwanska will not be scared to capitalize on that, and will very likely add another title to her resume.

Pick: Radwanska in 3 sets