ATP Dubai, WTA/Acapulco, ATP Delray Beach: 2nd Round and Quarter-Final Predictions

Nikolay Davydenko

1. Nikolay Davydenko v Roger Federer (Dubai, QF)

Roger Federer enjoyed a more straightforward match in Dubai compared to his first rounder as he overcame Marcel Granollers in straight sets, 6-3 6-4.  His reward is a 21st clash with Nikolay Davydenko, who followed up an upset win over Janko Tipsarevic with a straight sets win over Victor Hanescu.  Davydenko has been solid in 2013 up till now with a final appearance in Doha and appears to be marginally more consistent than last year. Davydenko broke the duck with wins over Federer at the World Tour Finals (in 2009) and Doha (in 2010), but he is not at the same level as then.  Davydenko lost to Federer at the Australian Open, 6-3 6-3 6-4 and although I think it will be tighter in Dubai, Federer should not have too many problems in reaching the semi-finals.

Prediction - Federer to beat Davydenko in 2 tight sets

2. Sara Errani to beat Eugenie Bouchard (Acapulco, R2)

The number one seed in the women's draw for Acapulco, Sara Errani takes on one of the promising talents on the tour in her second round match.  Eugenie Bouchard won the Wimbledon Juniors title last year and had some good wins on the tour towards the backend of 2012.  She has not started 2013 so well, but has managed to turn things around in Brazil with three qualifying wins and a straight sets win over Eva Birnerova in the first round.  Errani cooly dispatched of Alexandra Cadantu, 6-3 6-2 in her first tour match on clay this year.  I think Bouchard will be an excellent player in years to come but in this encounter, Errani will have too much patience and experience...

Prediction - Errani to beat Bouchard in 2 sets

Denis Istomin

3. Denis Istomin v Tommy Haas (Delray Beach, R2)

There are a pick of good matches from Delray Beach today and the one I have chosen to preview is that involving the number two seed, Tommy Haas.  The German veteran was lucky to get through his first round match when Igor Sijsling retired just before the third set.  His opponent in round two, Denis Istomin was also on the ropes as he battled back from losing the first set to get past Benjamin Becker, 6-7(3) 6-4 7-5.  Both players have had good results in North America; Istomin made the semi-finals last week in Memphis including a win over John Isner, meanwhile Haas made the final in San Jose.  This promises to be a tight match, but I like Istomin's form this year, plus he has a win over Haas under his belt...

Prediction - Istomin to beat Haas in 3 sets

ATP Dubai Predictions

Del Potro to beat Brands in 2 tight sets

Berdych to beat Tursunov in 2 sets

Djokovic to beat Seppi in 2 sets

WTA Acapulco Predictions

Suarez Navarro to beat Foretz Gacon in 2 sets

Karatantcheva to beat Schiavone in 3 sets

Soler Espinosa to beat Begu in 3 sets

Oprandi to beat Knapp in 3 sets

ATP Acapulco Predictions

Ferrer to beat Odesnik in 2 sets

Nadal to beat Alund in 2 sets (1 tight, 1 easy)

Almagro to beat Robredo in 3 sets

ATP Delray Beach Predictions

Querrey to beat Gulbis in 3 long sets

Dodig to beat Donskoy in 2 tight sets

WTA Florianopolis Predictions

Mladenovic to beat Czink in 2 tight sets

Cepelova to beat Puchkova in 3 sets

Niculescu to beat Babos in 2 sets

It has been a mixed bag of predictions; Florianopolis has been excellent and the Acapulco womens draw has been good so far, but my champion has gone from Delray Beach as Nishikori pulled out of his first round match.