Friday, January 17, 2014

DAY 5 REVIEW AND ACE'S DAY 6 PICKS

by Karen 

Well we are counting down to the end of the first week and the beginning of the second week.  There have been some scarey times from some of the top players on the women's side but our top 4 seeds are still in the tournament gearing themselves up for what could possibly be a blockbuster semifinal day for the ladies. 

However, before we get to that point, we have the third round of Day 6 action and Ace's picks are below:-

Jankovic vs Nara - Jankovic
Diyas vs Halep - Halep
Suarez Navarro vs Cibulkova - Suarez Navarro
Cornet vs Sharapova - Sharapova
Radwanska vs Pavlyuchenkova - Radwanska
Muguruza vs Wozniacki - Muguruza (match of the day)
Stephens vs Svitolina - Stephens
Meusburger vs Azarenka

Yesterday for about a set and a half Lucie Safarova showed us why for years many of us pegged her as a Grand Slam champion in the making.  For about a set and a half Lucie Safarova showed us why for years we have given up thinking that she is a Grand Slam champion.  The Spin thought she had a chance against Li for the simple reason that Li had been playing dismal tennis through the first 2 rounds.  Her forehand and her serve were a bit off and in my view it was only because she faced opponents who were inexperienced why she was making it through as comfortable as she was.  

If Li wants to be known as more than a 1 Slam wonder and perennial finalist she will have to step up her game and not place so much reliance from the hand gestures in the stands. 

Many people were shocked when I picked Ivanovic over Stosur in last night's marquee match but Ivanovic has been playing great tennis since the latter part of last year so I was not shocked at the result this morning.  However, someone needs to point out to Ivanovic that playing and beating Venus, a player well past her prime, ranked at the lower end of the scale, is a far cry from playing her sister, the current World No. 1 Serena.  In addition, the experience of beating one sister in no way prepares you for playing or even beating the other sister.  It takes a special kind of player to accomplish that and I doubt that Ivanovic is that special player.  That being said, I do hope she goes out there and gives her best effort because after all, who does not love an upset. 

Ace has picked the Muguruza v Wozniacki as his match of the day.  I am going to go on a limb and pick the Radwanska/Pavlyuchenkova match as my match of the day.  I am still reminded of the final played by these two in Seoul at the end of the 2013 season. 

There are some really intriguing matches on tonight and I am glad that tomorrow is not a work day as I will be burning the midnight oil watching these matches and I hope everyone else will be as well. 

Remember to vote as to who you think is doing the best under their new coaching arrangements. 

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