Som i går.. Tyv stjålet, men i går gik det super med det.
Ivanovic Vs Srebotnik - Power baseliner vs the more consistent baseliner. Niether have much form to speak off. This match arguably rests with Ivanovic, if she combines some solid groundstoke play mixed with her power game, then she has the talent and ability to beat anybody (including Srebotnik) as proved at the French Open. But seems to have taken a tennis time-out since the French. Strebotnik should not be underestimated although it is questionable whether she has the consitency to break down Ivanovic´s power game.
For me this match can go one of three ways with the first two being the most probable; Ivanovic plays power tennis and blows Srebotnik of the court for a set and then has a mental vaction in the second of which Srebotnik will build upon to take the second and eventually Ivanovic wins the third. Ivanovic simply shows her superior talent and class to win in two sets or she has a total let down and Srebotnik wins.
Verdict - If Ivanovic plays her A game she will win, but Srebotnik is stubbon character, so expect a tuff match. No firm favourite although would tend to side with the strikingly beautiful Ivanovic for this one.
Dementieva Vs Myskina - The two power baseliners go head to head. Both have outstanding timing and rotation on their groundstokes, obviously with Myskina having the stronger serve of the two. Both in good form. Also both have incredible mental strength when fully focused, although we all know Myskina could easily have one of her many physiological vacations. It is always difficult when playing a compatriot, as you practice with each other a lot and know each other games so well. Therefore there won´t be too many nerves or tension from either as they will know what to expect. Frequently you would think there would be many ups and downs in the matches between these two (as has been the case in preceding years), but apart from wimbledon, there has been fairly comfortable victories after who has ever got the first set. So this may or may not be a pattern that develop´s between these two.
Verdict - Dementieva to win after a few upend´s.
Schnyder Vs pennetta - The talented intelligent match player Vs the Topspin baseline player. Schnyder has a fantasic ability to take oppoents out of court with her high topspin forehand and then go for the winner down the line, combined with a solid backhand and an efficacious serve. Pennetta has a reliance on solid baseline game and wins by forcing oppoenets into errors. She pushed Pierce very hard in Moscow (before eventually losing) and has some reliable form this year. Still, hard to see her style beating Patty´s today.
Verdict - Schnyder to win.
Davenport Vs Schiavone - The power baseliner Vs the (grunting) consistent baseliner. For me Davenport has a unique purism when striking the ball that no one else has on the WTA tour. On her day her oppoenets are powerless to the outcome of the match. However Davenport unimpeachable attitude is interesting at the moment. Was a set and a break down yesterday to Hantuchova, and then all of a sudden thought "hold on I really shouldn´t be losing this" and promply went onto win the match. Now that she has surmounted over the mental barrier of being in Zurich and knowing Schiavone does not have the fire power to unhinge her, a fully focused Davenport is expected.
Verdict - Davenport to win in straight sets
/Kwan
Ivanovic Vs Srebotnik - Power baseliner vs the more consistent baseliner. Niether have much form to speak off. This match arguably rests with Ivanovic, if she combines some solid groundstoke play mixed with her power game, then she has the talent and ability to beat anybody (including Srebotnik) as proved at the French Open. But seems to have taken a tennis time-out since the French. Strebotnik should not be underestimated although it is questionable whether she has the consitency to break down Ivanovic´s power game.
For me this match can go one of three ways with the first two being the most probable; Ivanovic plays power tennis and blows Srebotnik of the court for a set and then has a mental vaction in the second of which Srebotnik will build upon to take the second and eventually Ivanovic wins the third. Ivanovic simply shows her superior talent and class to win in two sets or she has a total let down and Srebotnik wins.
Verdict - If Ivanovic plays her A game she will win, but Srebotnik is stubbon character, so expect a tuff match. No firm favourite although would tend to side with the strikingly beautiful Ivanovic for this one.
Dementieva Vs Myskina - The two power baseliners go head to head. Both have outstanding timing and rotation on their groundstokes, obviously with Myskina having the stronger serve of the two. Both in good form. Also both have incredible mental strength when fully focused, although we all know Myskina could easily have one of her many physiological vacations. It is always difficult when playing a compatriot, as you practice with each other a lot and know each other games so well. Therefore there won´t be too many nerves or tension from either as they will know what to expect. Frequently you would think there would be many ups and downs in the matches between these two (as has been the case in preceding years), but apart from wimbledon, there has been fairly comfortable victories after who has ever got the first set. So this may or may not be a pattern that develop´s between these two.
Verdict - Dementieva to win after a few upend´s.
Schnyder Vs pennetta - The talented intelligent match player Vs the Topspin baseline player. Schnyder has a fantasic ability to take oppoents out of court with her high topspin forehand and then go for the winner down the line, combined with a solid backhand and an efficacious serve. Pennetta has a reliance on solid baseline game and wins by forcing oppoenets into errors. She pushed Pierce very hard in Moscow (before eventually losing) and has some reliable form this year. Still, hard to see her style beating Patty´s today.
Verdict - Schnyder to win.
Davenport Vs Schiavone - The power baseliner Vs the (grunting) consistent baseliner. For me Davenport has a unique purism when striking the ball that no one else has on the WTA tour. On her day her oppoenets are powerless to the outcome of the match. However Davenport unimpeachable attitude is interesting at the moment. Was a set and a break down yesterday to Hantuchova, and then all of a sudden thought "hold on I really shouldn´t be losing this" and promply went onto win the match. Now that she has surmounted over the mental barrier of being in Zurich and knowing Schiavone does not have the fire power to unhinge her, a fully focused Davenport is expected.
Verdict - Davenport to win in straight sets
/Kwan