The second WTA tournament for this week kicks off in Istanbul with the likes of Francesca Schiavone, Petra Kvitova and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova competing.

1st Quarter – Schiavone (1) v Petkovic (6)
Francesca Schiavone will have to overcome some British opposition in Keothavong and Baltacha. I expect her to progress with some difficulty to win her first matches since winning Roland Garros. Petkovic should be her QF opponent with Razzano her R2 opponent.

Prediction = Schiavone v Petkovic

2nd Quarter – Shvedova (4) v Pironkova (5)
Shvedova faces a tricky opener against Stefanie Voegele who played well in Portoroz last week. Elena Vesnina is also lurking and is a talented hard court player so I expect her to find some form like compatriot Anna Chakvetadze in Portoroz last week. I’ll go for Pironkova to come through against the fiesty Rodionova.

Prediction = Vesnina v Pironkova

3rd Quarter – Schnyder (8) v Pavlyuchenkova (3)
Im going to go for Sorana Cirstea to hit some form and knock out the seeded Schnyder who I predict will overcome a tired yet talented Johanna Larsson. Pavlyuchenkova should pass Rybarikova without any problems despite a disappointing exit in the QF of Portoroz.
Prediction = Cirstea v Pavlyuchenkova

4th Quarter – Zakopalova (7) v Kvitova (2)
In this final quarter, i’m going for the in-form Jarmilla Groth to knock out Zakopalova. Kvitova struggled in Portoroz last week and im anticipating another struggle against Sevastova. Ultimately, i think it will be Vera Dushevina who progresses to the QF.

Prediction = Groth v Dushevina

I’m predicting a final between Elena Vesnina and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova with A-Pav winning; however these tournaments can often be unpredictable with a selection of new names such as Julia Goerges and Johanna Larsson reaching the latter stages of recent WTA events.