WTA Oeiras Semi-Final Predictions: Pavlyuchenkova-Oprandi, Kanepi-Suarez Navarro

1. Romina Oprandi v Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova

The real surprise package of this week has been Romina Oprandi, who tore past a lacklustre, Svetlana Kuznetsova to post a 6-2 6-2 quarter-final victory.  She takes on another Russian tomorrow, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova who edged past Elena Vesnina in a third set tiebreak, 6-3 6-7(3) 7-6(3).  Vesnina served for the match, but Pavlyuchenkova dug her heels in and produced another excellent victory.  The input of Martina Hingis has certainly shown to be having a positive impact although it may be too soon to tell.  Oprandi has played the better tennis this week and is a pretty talented player when she wants to be; that is the problem though as she can often go away from matches and look like she is not really trying.  This will be a tough one for Pavlyuchenkova, but I think three confidence boosting wins already this week will help her on her way to a third final in 2013

Prediction - Pavlyuchenkova to beat Oprandi in 2 tight sets

2. Kaia Kanepi v Carla Suarez Navarro

We are assured at least one of last year's finalists will make the final again in 2013 as Kaia Kanepi and Carla Suarez Navarro set up a final rematch for tomorrow's semi-final.  Kanepi has built up a strong week with wins over Kristina Mladenovic and Sorana Cirstea, and today she edged out an improving Ayumi Morita, 6-4 6-3.  Suarez Navarro has also played very well this week and is yet to lose as set as her pursuit for a first ever WTA title went through Monica Puig today, who put up a valiant effort before falling 6-2 6-4.  The last time Kanepi and CSN played was in the Estoril final and it was Kanepi who prevailed in an epic momentum-swinger of a match, 3-6 7-6(6) 6-4.  Both have a tendency to get tight in close situations and I think this will be no different to last year's final; my original final prediction is still in the balance and I won't be going against my original prediction...

Prediction - Suarez Navarro to beat Kanepi in 3 sets

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