Hey guys,
Sorry for the delay between posts. Both Kevin and I have been away and unable to connect. However, both of us are backhand ready to entertain you with our thoughts. With Miami already raging this week I'm going to be posting a preview of the tournament but from its current situation. Miami is always an interesting time of year because we have transitioned to the US, players will often be tried because of the Indian Wells tournament the week before, and the conditions in Miami are drastically different than those in the desert out in California. This makes it very difficult to win the Indian Wells/Miami double for the ladies, and the feat has only been accomplished by two women in the past. With all this in mind, the draw has shaped into something of a shock already and has the potential for a few more.
1st Quarter-- Serena's Quarter
At then beginning of the week, it would have felt like Serena was having de ja vu. Her draw looked incredibly similar to the one she had in Indian Wells just a week before. In fact, Serena is to open against Monica Niculescu again this week and would have had to face the same third round opponent too (Zarina Diyas) if it were not for 15 year old phenom, Cici Bellis. Serena, as everyone knows, is struggling with an inflamed knee and a question mark is still hanging over how she will be able to perform here in Miami. If the knee is sufficiently healed, and she is in full flow, it is difficult to see anyone else coming through and winning this title. Serena, although not a sure win, loves Miami as is clear from her 7 titles here, and she will be aching for another one. Her section of the draw is packed with potential threats though and it should be interesting to see how the top seed fares here. A third round match up Bellis should be an exciting affair for the youngster, but Serena should progress with ease until her 4th round match up with Angie Kerber. This match has the potential to bother Serena if Angie can get her game going. however, the quarterfinals should be where a potential upset could loom. Ana Ivanovic, Garbine Muguruza, and a recently resurgent Sabine Lisicki have all beaten the world number 1 at slams in recent years and have thus provide they have what it takes to beat Serena. Whoever reaches the quarters here should be able to give Serena a run for her money, and give the crowd their money's worth. This is perhaps the most exciting quarter of the tournament because of the "rivalries" with Serena. We know that she hates to lose and thus having lost to all three already, she will undoubtedly come out ready to win.
Quarterfinal prediction
(1) Serena Williams vs (21) Garbine Muguruza
2nd Quarter-- Halep's Quarter
Simona Halep looks like the player to beat this year at the Miami Open. Having won her biggest title to date, in Indian wells less than a week ago, Halep should be full of confidence and desire to keep adding to her trophy cabinet. As previously mentioned thought, not many women have been able to adjust to the fast turn around between the two tournaments, and Halep will have to perform incredibly to pull of the double this week. The draw has not done the Romanian any favors either: in the fourth round she is scheduled to meet the ever dangerous and unseeded Vika Azarenka. Vika has been on a major upswing this year, having reached the finals in Doha with some inspired tennis. While the winner of that round of 16 battle will likely be the favorite to progress from this quarter, the dismissal of Eugenie Bouchard has left a wide open door for the suddenly dangerous again home favorite: Sloane Stevens. Stephens, on her day, can challenge anyone on tour with her ferocious forehand and unrivaled movement. Although Azarenka has never been challenged by the young American, Halep and Sloane's head to head is completely even at 2-2. Being in America, this could go either way if it gets there.
Quarterfinal prediction
Victoria Azarenka vs. Sloane Stevens
3rd Quarter-- Radwanska's and Venus's Quarter
This is a really interesting draw that has three "real" contenders on paper. Radwanska is always an underlying threat to the draw with her unique and unorthodox play, but she has been in somewhat of a slump of late. Caroline Wozniacki is back in the worlds top 5 and has been posting some very impressive results of late, however, she still has the ability to lose early with uncharacteristic poor and erratic play. In Indian Wells she played a poor match to youngster Belinda Bencic and was sent packing in straight sets. She has been playing better tennis so far in Miami but could run into the in form Venus Williams in the fourth round. The head-to-head between these two is decisively one sided in favor of Venus. In fact, Caro has only ever taken one set off of Venus, and it was in Auckland this year. Should they square off in the 4th, it would be a tough ask for Wozniacki to get passed Williams. Venus is scheduled to take on Sam Stosur in the third round, and according to their head to head she should progress safely through. However, Sam is a mercurial talent and can show up on a whim wither bludgeoning forehand and booming serve. This Quarter poses a lot of questions: will Aga's continue to slump or will her form lift in time for the business end of the tournament? Will Caroline be able to overcome a 6-0 head-to-head against Venus? Will Venus continue her good form and march through to the quarters? Finally, if Venus faces Aga, will she be able to make it three in a row?
Quarterfinal prediction
(7) Agnieszka Radwanska vs (16) Venus Williams
4th Quarter-- Pliskova's draw?
The bottom section of the draw has really opened up with the sick exit of Maria Sharapova. Her conqueror (Daria Gavrilova) will have to continue to play inspired tennis to have a chance of a repeat upset against Pliskova. Pliskova is having a fantastic year so far. She has reached the final in Dubai, falling to Halep. In Indian Wells, she again lost to the in form Romanian, but Pliskova has unassuming power and athleticism, making her a danger to anyone in the draw. On the opposite side of the quarter, Makarova and Petkovic have a 4th round date set and that should be a very exciting affair indeed. The last tim the played, Petko squeaked it out in a tense three-setter. Whoever plays more aggressive on the day will surely prevail but it should be exciting. Either of those players should be a great challenge for Pliskova and the quarter should be a great exhibition of tennis. Above all though, all of these players have been presented a great opportunity with Sharapova's exit.
Quarterfinal prediction
(8) Ekaterina Makarova vs (14) Karolina Pliskova
Semifinals
Azarenka def Muguruza
Venus Williams def Makarova
Final
Williams def Azarenka
Long shot for Venus to win but i think that in her current form and with the draw falling the way it has, she has a good chance to progress really deep and threaten for the title.
