Thursday 21 February 2013

WTA Dubai, ATP Marseille: Friday Predictions

Caroline Wozniacki
1. Caroline Wozniacki v Petra Kvitova (Dubai, SF)
It was just over a year ago when Caroline Wozniacki and Petra Kvitova were the top two in the rankings, but since then, both have struggled to reach those heights again.  Perhaps this week is a sign of things to come in 2013 as the pair will face in the Dubai semi-finals.  Kvitova had a torrid time in Australia, but she appears to have regained her confidence with some excellent performances in Doha and Dubai.  She had her best win in well over a year as she tore past Agnieszka Radwanska, 6-2 6-4 in the quarter-finals.  The Pole spent the entire match chasing balls down and had absolutely no answers in preventing Kvitova's raw power.  

Wozniacki recovered from the loss of the opening set to edge past Marion Bartoli in a 4-6 6-1 6-4 quarter-final battle.  Wozniacki is playing much better of late, but her form has been somewhat overshadowed by the horrendous antics of her father, Piotr.  Wozniacki and Kvitova are 3-3 in their head-to-head, but Kvitova has won their last two matches with a three set semi-final win in Montreal last year.  Wozniacki, like Radwanska, lacks the weapons, but I think she has more to offer against Kvitova tomorrow.  This week looks like its opening up for Kvitova and it is unlikely that Wozniacki will have enough game to throw a spanner in the works...

Prediction - Kvitova to beat Wozniacki in 2 sets

2. Bernard Tomic v Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (Marseille, QF)
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
There are a strong line-up of matches for the Marseille quarter-finals, but the pick of the bunch is probably the second one on the schedule between Bernard Tomic and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.  Both did very well in Australia, but struggled last week in Rotterdam falling in the opening round.  Tomic beat Somdev Devvarman in straight sets today, but is lucky to have made the quarter-finals having come from match point down to Martin Klizan in the first round.  Tsonga beat Nikolay Davydenko in a tight two setter for his first win since Melbourne after a very surprising loss to home favourite, Igor Sijsling last week in Holland.  It is important for Tomic to consolidate his good form from Australia and making the quarters has been a solid week  Beating Tsonga would make it a a great week, but I think the Frenchman will prevail...

Prediction - Tsonga to beat Tomic in 2 tight sets

Dubai Predictions:
Sara Errani to beat Roberta Vinci in 2 sets

Memphis Predictions:
Sabine Lisicki to beat Magdalena Rybarikova in 2 tight sets
Marina Erakovic to beat Stephanie Voegele in 3 sets

Marseille Predictions:
Juan Martin Del Potro to beat Gilles Simon in 2 sets
Gilles Muller to beat Dmitry Tursunov in 2 sets

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