FROM MEXICO TO CALIFORNIA

Last week, there were WTA events in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Monterrey, Mexico. Caroline Wozniacki won her first title since Istanbul in July last year and Timea Bacsinszky completed the Acapulco/Monterey double defeating Caroline Garcia in back to back weeks to clinch her third career title.  

The Spin's Player of the week is Timea Bacsinszky. She became The Queen of Mexico when she won Monterrey a week after winning in Acapulco.  In her run to the title, she won four three set matches with her last two being over Sara Errani and Caroline Garcia, whom she defeated easily in Acapulco final. Timea's ranking has now gone up to No. 26 which means that she will be seeded for both the French Open and Wimbledon.  An excellent improvement for a player who had left tennis and was thinking of a career change a few years ago. 

Honorable mention

(1)    Caroline Garcia – Made consecutive finals in Acapulco and Monterrey. After winning only three games in Acapulco final, she was able to take a set in the final from Bacsinszky. In the semifinals, she got the signature win of the tournament defeating Ana Ivanovic with relative ease.

(2)    Alexandra Dulgheru – Made the final at Kuala Lumpur defeating seeded players Sabine Lisicki, Julia Goerges and Jarmila Gajdosova. In the final, she was able to take a set from Caroline Wozniacki, who cruised through her first four rounds.

Previous players of week

Week 8: Lucie Safarova – Doha winner defeating Victoria Azarenka

Week 7: Karolina Pliskova – Dubai finalist losing to Simona Halep

Week 6: Daniela Hantuchova – Pattaya winner defeating Ajla Tomljanovic.

Week 5: Andrea Petkovic – Led Germany to Fed Cup semifinals

Week 4: Serena Williams – Australian Open winner defeating Maria Sharapova

Week 3: Madison Keys – Defeated two seeds including Petra Kvitova, who was seeded 4

Week 2: Heather Watson – Hobart winner defeating Madison Brengle

Week 1: Venus Williams - Auckland winner defeating Caroline Wozniacki

The WTA season is beginning to look a lot like migratory birds.  Starting in Australia where it is summer and the weather was really nice for all events, then to the Middle East where you had sandstorms, heat, wind and rain, hopping over to South and Central America for the clay/hard court swing (some took a detour and went to Asia ... Kuala Lumpur) and then jetting over to California for the start of the Indian Wells and then on to Florida for the Miami event. 

The draw for Indian Wells has been made and it is highlighted by the return of Serena Williams who will play her first match since winning the title in 2001 on Friday at 7 PM local time. The only top players not in the draw is Venus Williams and Petra Kvitova, who withdrew due to fatigue.  Timea Bacsinszky, who recently became the Queen of Mexico in consecutive weeks, and Karolina Pliskova lead the WTA in wins with 18. 

In the third round past winners, Maria Sharapova and Victoria Azarenka are scheduled to face off.  If it happens it will be must see tv.  Flavia Pennetta is the defending champion and she has a pretty tough draw to try and defend the biggest title of her career.  In my opinion, the toughest quarter is led by Simona Halep while the softest quarter is led by Caroline Wozniacki. When the tournament ends, I believe Serena Williams will be the first three time winner of the event.

Predictions

QF 1: S Williams vs Makarova

QF 2: Halep vs Suarez Navarro

QF 3: Bouchard vs Wozniacki

QF 4: Ivanovic vs Azarenka

SF 1: S Williams vs Halep

SF 2: Wozniacki vs Azarenka

F: S Williams vs Azarenka

W: S Williams

Karen will have a post up later this week regarding the media coverage of the return of Serena Williams to Indian Wells after a 14 year absence.  

Main draw play starts at 11:00 a.m. local time (1:00 p.m. EST).  If you don't have it, I strongly suggest that you get a subscription to tennistv.  It is so worth the money if you are an avid tennis fan.