Barthel beats Ivanovic, Germans start strong in Stuttgart

Ana Ivanovic

If you have been reading some of my blog entries, you will no doubt have read me harping on about Mona Barthel!  After a few setbacks in recent weeks, she delivered one of her biggest wins to date with a 7-5 7-6 victory over Ana Ivanovic.  I was unable to watch the match but it sounded like a solid effort from Barthel and Ivanovic with both recording a positive winner to unforced error differential (Barthel +15 and Ivanovic +7).  Barthel has been joined in the second round by fellow Germans, Julia Goerges, Angelique Kerber and Andrea Petkovic.  Petkovic was returning from injury and produced a good performance to beat another German player, Kristina Barrois, 6-1 6-4.

In other matches, Maria Sharapova advanced at the expense of an injured Alize Cornet and joined Agnieszka Radwanska in the quarter-finals; Radwanska defeated a spirited Greta Arn with a 6-3 6-4 victory.  The last match of the day will see Caroline Wozniacki take on Jelena Jankovic for the chance to play Angelique Kerber in the second round.

Predictions for tomorrow's matches:

Victoria Azarenka to beat Andrea Petkovic in 2 sets

Mona Barthel to beat Marion Bartoli in 3 sets

Li Na to beat Akgul Amanmuradova in 2 sets

Petra Kvitova to beat Francesca Schiavone in 2 tight sets

Angelique Kerber to beat Caroline Wozniacki/Jelena Jankovic in 3 sets

Sam Stosur to beat Julia Goerges in 2 tight sets 


Highlights from the Barthel/Ivanovic match in Stuttgart