WTA Miami Quarter-Final Predictions: Sharapova-Errani, Jankovic-Vinci

1. Maria Sharapova v Sara Errani

Maria Sharapova

A rematch of the Indian Wells quarter-final between Maria Sharapova and Sara Errani will take place in Miami; in fact Sharapova and Errani are the only two players to have made quarter-finals at both Indian Wells and Miami.  Errani has had another excellent week; she tore past Daniela Hantuchova and Simona Halep before a comeback victory over Ana Ivanovic in the 4th round, 1-6 6-4 6-2.  In their last match-up at the French Open, Errani had also lost the first set to Ivanovic, 6-1 before coming through in 3 sets.  Sharapova had an easier time of it yesterday with a 6-2 6-2 win over the in-form Czech player, Klara Zakopalova.  Sharapova and Errani have met three times before and all of them have gone the way of Maria in straight sets.  Errani did chalk up some set points in their last match in Indian Wells, but I still think Sharapova will once again prevail and make the semi-finals.

Prediction - Sharapova to beat Errani in 2 tight sets

2. Jelena Jankovic v Roberta Vinci

Victoria Azarenka's withdrawal and third round exits for Angelique Kerber and Nadia Petrova gave way to a decimated 4th quarter and it is Jelena Jankovic and Roberta Vinci who will square off in an unlikely quarter-final at a Premier Mandatory.  Huge points are on offer for whoever can prevail and history would suggest it will be a close one.  Jankovic leads the head-to-head by 3 wins to 2, but Vinci has won their last two matches including a marathon in Sydney earlier this year with a 3-6 6-4 7-6(4) scoreline.  Jankovic's form in Miami has been by far the more impressive with straight set wins over Nadia Petrova in round three and Sorana Cirstea in round four.  Vinci, meanwhile had her second three set epic in two days as she edged past Alize Cornet, 2-6 6-4 6-4.  Form points to JJ, previous matches to Vinci... I'm going for Jankovic in a tight three setter.

Prediction - Jankovic to beat Vinci in 3 sets