Friday 30 March 2012

WTA Miami Final: Preview & Predictions

The world number two, Maria Sharapova will do battle with the world number four, Agnieszka Radwanska for the Sony Ericsson Open title in Miami.  The two finalists have been two of the most consistent performers in 2012 ranking at number 2 and 3 in this year's race standings behind Victoria Azarenka, who was ousted in the quarter-finals by Marion Bartoli.

Sharapova struggled to hit top form in the early rounds but played some excellent tennis to get past Caroline Wozniacki in the semi-finals.  There were some mental lapses in that semi-final, particularly in that first set where she let a 4-1 lead slide away, but she continues to be the ultimate competitor having won 17 of her last 18 three set matches.  It must be said that Radwanska has had a very straightforward passage through to the final.  In the last two rounds, she has advanced past a tiring Venus Williams and an injured Marion Bartoli... however you cannot knock that every opponent she has been presented with, she has done all that is required off her and played some good tennis to reach this stage.

Sharapova leads the head-to-head with an overwhelming seven wins to one against Radwanska.  Their last match was at last year's French Open where Radwanska had a host of chances, but failed to make any of them as she went down, 7-6 7-5 in the Round of 16.  There is a little bit of extra spice to the occasion as Radwanska discussed the matter of Sharapova's grunting at the Australian Open in a post-match conference.  Radwanska's consistency and variety has made her a very tough opponent on the tour this year.  Sharapova will encounter some obstacles, but her attacking threat will get her across the finish line....

Prediction - Sharapova d. Radwanska 7-5 6-3

Agnieszka Radwanska

5 comments:

  1. This is a very good blog.
    Seems you like WTA prediction more than ATP prediction. Could I know why?
    For the following games for ATP Miami, what's your prediction?

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  2. Thanks for your comments :-)

    You are right, I do have a preference to the WTA! I enjoy following the men's game too, but I find the WTA is so unpredictable and there is alot of depth in the game at the moment so you never know who is going to win! The ATP is always very exciting and high quality at the ends of tournaments, but I find it a little predictable in the early stages with the top 4 always dominating.

    I would like to do more prediction articles for the ATP but since recently getting my first job, I just haven't had enough time :-(

    Thanks for reading my blog and I do hope you will continue too as I have lots planned for the summer ahead :-)

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  3. And since its the weekend, I will have time to do an ATP finals preview for Miami later today...

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  4. Thanks for your quick response. I really enjoy reading your blog.

    I agree with you the ATP is more predictable while it might be a challenge if predicting from the betting perspective, such as for the match of Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray, will the total games under 22.5 or greater than 22.5.

    Then along the way, if your prediction is relatively accurate, your blog will be more popular. Then one choice for you is to consider cooperating with the gambling company. For example, you put some Ads of the gambling company of tennis betting and provide your prediction. Blog readers who read your blog can click through the Ads to participate and even get additional discount.

    This is just one suggestion.

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  5. Thanks for all your thoughful suggestions :-)

    When I get some more free time, I might try and look into some of them!

    ReplyDelete