Sara Errani and Angelique Kerber both headed into New Haven looking for match wins before the US and both suffered their worse losses of the summer hard court season so far. As to be expected, New Haven's line-up could likely throw up a surprise winner.
1. Ekaterina Makarova v Simona Halep
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| Ekaterina Makarova |
Sara Errani was ousted by a surprisingly solid performance from Ekaterina Makarova who served extremely well, outfoxing the Italian on both the first and second serves as she romped home with a 7-5 6-1 victory. Makarova takes on Simona Halep, who has reached at least the quarter-finals of 6 of the last 9 tournaments she has played. She lost the opening set to Carla Suarez Navarro today, but came back strongly to record a 3-6 6-4 6-1 victory. Halep and Makarova have never played before and it promises to be a tight match. Halep is in great form, but Makarova's flat hitting, particularly when it's inside the lines, can trouble anyone.
Prediction - Halep to beat Makarova in 3 sets
2. Klara Zakopalova v Elena Vesnina
2013 has been a career best for Elena Vesnina who broke her title duck with wins in Hobart and more impressively in Eastbourne. She has become a solid and consistent player on the tour, proving so with a comfortable straight sets win over Angelique Kerber in her second round match. Next up is Klara Zakopalova, who has posted excellent wins over Dominika Cibulkova and Monica Puig. Zakopalova won their only previous match-up back in 2010, but I like Vesnina's recent form and her game is the more solid of the two players.
Prediction - Vesnina to beat Zakopalova in 3 sets
Best of the rest: WTA New Haven Quarter-Finals
Caroline Wozniacki to beat Sloane Stephens in 2 tight sets
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova to beat Petra Kvitova in 2 tight sets
US Open Draw at 5pm UK time tomorrow... hopefully should have the first preview out by Saturday so stay tuned!
Caroline Wozniacki to beat Sloane Stephens in 2 tight sets
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova to beat Petra Kvitova in 2 tight sets
US Open Draw at 5pm UK time tomorrow... hopefully should have the first preview out by Saturday so stay tuned!
I hope Agneiska withdraws after Winning her first round match... It'd open up the draw for a Erakovic :)
ReplyDeleteSadly that's as likely as another one of Radwanskas relatives dying in 2 straight tournaments
Btw Moo sorry but I picked an early exit for Laura against Garcia. They say she needs a seed and a stage... SHE is the seed and knowing the Americans SHE'LL be on a stage... Nervous Moo;)
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