WTA/ATP Madrid 3rd Round Predictions: Sharapova-Lisicki, Federer-Nishikori

1. Sabine Lisicki v Maria Sharapova

Maria Sharapova

Normally these two meet on a grass court, but Maria Sharapova and Sabine Lisicki will play each other for the first time on clay tomorrow in the third round of Madrid.  Sharapova was delayed by the dramas of the Djokovic-Dimitrov match last night so was in no mood for fuss and defeated Christina McHale, 6-1 6-2.  Lisicki has had a very good week by her standards, defeating the number 15 seed, Dominika Cibulkova in a very tight two setter, 7-6(4) 7-6(3).  Lisicki shocked the then world number one, Sharapova at Wimbledon last year with a fantastic 4th round victory.  Sharapova exacted revenge at the Olympics in a terrific three setter.  One thing you know when these two play is that its going to be competitive, intense and all emotions on show.  On clay, there is only one winner though...

Prediction - Sharapova to beat Lisicki in 2 sets

2. Roger Federer v Kei Nishikori

After an eight week break from the tour, Roger Federer made an excellent start to his Madrid campaign with a 6-3 6-3 win over Radek Stepanek.  The only weakness was not being able to serve out the match, but there was never any danger.  Next up is the consistent, Kei Nishikori, who continues to make 3rd/4th rounds of the big events.  He came through a tight first set with Viktor Troicki, before cruising through the second to post a 7-5 6-2 victory.  Federer will still be vulnerable having not played since Indian Wells and Nishikori is a very capable player.  Federer won their only previous match in the Basel final and handily, 6-1 6-3.  I'd love to see Nishikori do well here, but I still think Federer will come through rather comfortably.

Prediction - Federer to beat Nishikori (1 tight, 1 easy)

3. Varvara Lepchenko v Sara Errani

My wild quarter-final punt, Varvara Lepchenko is still in the tournament, but got a lucky break today when Julia Goerges was forced to pull out of their third round match due to illness.  Lepchenko now takes on Sara Errani, who came through a really tough second round match against Sorana Cirstea, 7-5 2-6 6-4.  Once again, I have to bring up the scheduling as Errani won her last match on Monday, meanwhile Lepchenko has not actually played since Sunday.  Lepchenko leads the head-to-head by 2 wins to 1; the most recent of those wins came in Fed Cup action for Lepchenko on clay earlier this year.  The American has always been solid on the clay, making the last 16 of the 2012 French Open and although her concentration seems to massively waver throughout a match, I have to stick by my original prediction and go for Lepchenko.

Prediction - Lepchenko to beat Errani in 3 sets

Best of the rest: womens 3rd round predictions

Serena Williams to beat in Maria Kirilenko in 2 tight sets

Ekaterina Makarova to beat Marion Bartoli in 3 sets
Kaia Kanepi to beat Daniela Hantuchova in 2 tight sets
Anabel Medina Garrigues received a walkover into the quarter-finals after Shvedova withdrew

Best of the rest: mens 3rd round predictions

Stanislas Wawrinka to beat Grigor Dimitrov in 3 sets *most interesting mens match by far tomorrow, but not had enough time for a full preview*

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga to beat Fernando Verdasco in 2 sets

Andy Murray to beat Gilles Simon in 2 sets *avoid this match at all costs*

Pablo Andujar to beat Daniel Gimeno-Traver in 3 sets

Tomas Berdych to beat Kevin Anderson in 2 tight sets

Rafael Nadal to beat Mikhail Youzhny in 2 sets
Tommy Haas to beat David Ferrer in 3 sets