Monday 25 March 2013

WTA Miami Quarter-Final Predictions: Serena-Li, Radwanska-Flipkens

1. Serena Williams v Li Na
Li Na
The womens draw has been rather decimated in places, but what looked like the most anticipated of the potential quarters has come to life as world number one, Serena Williams will take on the Australian Open finalist, Li Na. Serena was on the brink of exiting Miami at 6-2 4-1 down to Dominika Cibulkova in their 4th round match, but she somehow found a way back into the match and the rest was history.  She eventually came through 2-6 6-4 6-2, but it was not a magical performance.

Li overcame the young Spaniard, Garbine Muguruza in straight sets, 7-6(6) 6-2, but like Serena it was not a performance to be proud of.  Li blew a 5-1 first set lead and hit a ton of errors, as did Muguruza in what sounded like a streaky match.  Serena has won 6 of 7 previous match-ups with Li; however all of them have been tough and lengthy. Neither played well in the 4th round, but I think Serena will be the more match tough and if Li did get into a winning position, I am not convinced she would be able to close it out.

Prediction - Serena to beat Li in 2 tight sets

2. Agnieszka Radwanska v Kirsten Flipkens
The incredible form of Kirsten Flipkens has continued in Miami as she backed up an upset win of Petra Kvitova in round three with a battling three set victory over the in-form wildcard, Ajla Tomljanovic. Flipkens will reach a new career high when the new rankings are released on Monday and she deserves it as she has been extremely consistent this year and plays a different and refreshing brand of tennis to most.  She now takes on Agnieszka Radwanska in the quarter-finals, who started super slow, but finished frantically fast with a 4-6 6-2 6-0 win over Sloane Stephens.  Radwanska's magic was there for all to see and the way she turned the match around was impressive because Stephens was completely dominating in the first set.  Radwanska won her only previous match with Flipkens in a Fed Cup match back in 2010.  It has been a great week for Flipkens, but Radwanska is much more experienced in these big match occasions and will be the big favourite.

Prediction - Radwanska to beat Flipkens in 2 sets

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