In the two hotly anticipated matches in Dubai on Tuesday, neither disappointed.  Caroline Wozniacki produced a fine turnaround to get past Sabine Lisicki, 2-6 6-3 6-3.  In the other match, a third set tiebreak was needed to separate Angelique Kerber and Ana Ivanovic as Kerber suffered another really tough loss, her fourth loss this year in a tight three set match.  Predictions wise, it was another solid day and I am hoping for a good tournament overall after a pretty dire couple of weeks.

Poll result: Unsurprisingly, Serena is the favourite to win Dubai amongst readers of Moo’s Tennis Blog with 32% of the votes.  Simona Halep, who retired hurt today, was 2nd followed by Ivanovic.

1. Venus Williams v Ana Ivanovic (WTA Dubai, R2)

Ana Ivanovic

The best match from Tuesday’s action at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships featured a huge win for Ana Ivanovic, who saved a match point in beating Angelique Kerber, 3-6 6-3 7-6(6) in 1 hour and 59 minutes.  Ivanovic had three match points on the Kerber serve at 6-5* in the third set and then nearly let slip a 5-1 lead in the third set tiebreak as Kerber won five straight points; however it was Ivanovic, who toughed out the win, her first in three matches against Kerber.  Ivanovic will now take on Venus Williams in a rematch of the Auckland final from the first week of the 2014 tennis season, which remains one of the best WTA matches so far this year.

Venus looked in fine form in the first round as she defeated Elena Vesnina in straight sets.  She is on an 11-match winning streak in Dubai and is playing extremely well so far this year.  Where Venus has struggled is between the ears as she has suffered three tough defeats to Ivanovic in Auckland, Ekaterina Makarova at the Australian Open and Petra Kvitova last week in Doha.   Venus holds a significant lead in the head-to-head against Ivanovic although the Serb won their most recent match in Auckland where she fought off nerves to win her first title in years.  I think all my favourite matches so far this year have featured Venus and this promises to be another cracking match.  Venus deserves to win a tight three set match, but after Ivanovic’s win over Kerber on Tuesday, I think she will be calm and confident, and book her place in the quarter-finals.  I would like to see Venus win this match though!

Prediction: Ivanovic to beat V.Williams in 3 sets

WTA Dubai 2nd Round Predictions

Jelena Jankovic to beat Lucie Safarova in 3 sets

Petra Kvitova to beat Carla Suarez Navarro in 2 sets

Kirsten Flipkens to beat Alize Cornet in 2 tight sets

Sara Errani to beat Sorana Cirstea in 3 sets

Caroline Wozniacki to beat Annika Beck in 2 very tight sets

Agnieszka Radwanska to beat Flavia Pennetta in 2 sets