I went 5 out of 5 for Dubai predictions on day 1 as another busy week of tournaments kicked off. In Dubai, Venus Williams hit 10 aces in a comprehensive victory over Elena Vesnina, 6-3 6-2. Venus won the tournament in 2009 and 2010 and is now unbeaten in 11 matches in Dubai. She has had a few tough losses this year, but in terms of the level of her tennis, she is playing so much better than last year and obviously pain free. At the other end of the spectrum, Roberta Vinci went 0-6 in 2014 as she continued her winless start to the year with a straight sets loss at the hands of Sorana Cirstea.
1. Serena Williams v Ekaterina Makarova (WTA Dubai, R2)
Ekaterina Makarova
In the only second round match scheduled for Tuesday, the world number one Serena Williams will kick off her tournament with a tough first match against Ekaterina Makarova. This will be Serena’s first appearance since losing in the 4th round at the Australian Open to Ana Ivanovic. She has been struggling with a back injury, which forced her to pull out of Doha; however in a recent interview she declared practice as “boring” and said she wanted to play matches. Makarova navigated past a difficult first round opponent in Alisa Kleybanova, 6-4 6-7(3) 6-4 in 2 hours and 52 minutes. Makarova has made a fantastic start to the year with a last 16 showing at the Australian Open and a second WTA title in Pattaya City. Makarova has a 100% record from her five three set matches this year and rather curiously, on each occasion, has won the third set, 6-4.
Makarova has beaten Serena before in the 2011 edition of the Australian Open. Serena won their most recent encounter at the US Open and leads the head-to-head by 2 wins to 1. Serena has only played twice in Dubai, reaching the semi-finals in 2005 and 2009. Colour me a fool, but I fancy Makarova to grab the opening set before a rusty Serena finds her mojo.
Prediction: Serena to beat Makarova in 3 sets
1st Round Predictions: Jankovic to beat Zanevska in 2 sets, Flipkens to beat Ka. Pliskova in 3 sets, Stosur to beat Beck in 2 sets and Kanepi to beat Pennetta in 3 sets
Moo's Tennis Blog 
Kanepi vs Pennetta seems like an interesting match. Both in good form, ot could go either way. Although I feel like Kanepi has been little bit more consistent this year.
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Agree that it should be a really interesting match. I think Kanepi has won like their last three or four matches.
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I’m so excited to watch Wozniacki-Lisicki and Ivanovic-Kerber tomorrow. It’s really tough to say who is going to win, but I say Wozniacki in three and Kerber in two! Even if Ivanovic won in a fantastic way against Serena Williams, I have to go for Kerber. She has started the year so well (although she is 0-2 in finals in 2014).
And I think, Halep will lose tomorrow (unfortunately) as she had some issues with her foot?!
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Should both be really exciting matches and could go either way. I’m going for Wozniacki in 3 and Ivanovic in 2. Fair point you make about Halep. I don’t think she will make it past the quarters at least.
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Gutted for Kerber 😦 When she fought off 3 MP at 0:40 5:6 and then had MP at 6:5 (after 1:5) in the Tiebreak I was pretty sure she would win it. Another really tough loss. She really needs to win a close match soon!
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Murphy, I felt exactly the same when Kerber had the match point! She has had some really tough losses this year, which has kind of overshadowed what has been a very consistent year do far.
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