The WTA Montreal draw was released last night… and it’s an absolute cracker! There are so many interesting first round matches and looking further ahead, potential encounters we have to look forward too.  The WTA is really thriving at the moment.  If you haven’t seen the draw, Sam Davis of Around the Post does a nice recap HERE.  I’ll be posting a bumper preview of the draw with some predictions (oh dear) on Sunday morning.  I want to see the finalists of this week’s tournaments before I commit! I’ll be posting my preview for the ATP Toronto draw later today.  In the meantime, Stanford semi-finals are today with Serena Williams v Andrea Petkovic up first at 10pm in the UK.

Poll Results: In yesterday’s polls, 48% correctly predicted that Kerber would beat Muguruza and 47% correctly predicted that Serena would beat Ivanovic.

1. Serena Williams v Andrea Petkovic (Stanford, SF #1)

Both late night matches in Stanford finished with a 7-5 third set as Serena Williams and Andrea Petkovic booked their places in the semi-finals.  Petkovic was the first winner, defeating Venus Williams, 6-1 3-6 7-5.  From Twitter, it sounded like a match with plenty of twists and turns in momentum.  Petkovic was unable to serve out the match at *5-3, but gained a crucial hold at 5-5 before breaking Venus to win the match.  I couldn’t be happier to see Petkovic doing well.  I thought it was a brave choice to play Stanford over Washington based on the calibre of players entering, but it is a decision that 100% paid off and winning matches like these shows how much confidence she has gained in the last few months.

Serena and Ana Ivanovic played for the third time this year and once again, it went three sets.  By all accounts, Ana played an awesome first set, but was hindered by a groin / leg injury for the remainder of the match.  She still put up a great fight with Serena edging it, 7-5.  The world number one was unable to serve it out at the first time of asking, but according to @Builtspd2, Serena turned it on in the last two games.

In the head-to-head, Serena leads 3-0 with the most recent win coming in Rome earlier this year.  The tight win for Serena over Ivanovic is likely to have done wonders for her confidence.  I think Petko can keep this competitive, but I’d be surprised if she can win a set…

Finally, these pictures of Petko are EVERYTHING.

Prediction: Serena d. Petkovic in 2 tight sets

WTA Stanford Semi-Final Prediction

Angelique Kerber d. Varvara Lepchenko in 2 tight sets – Lepchenko has four wins over Kerber, but the German player has won their last two matches.  Don’t competely write off Lepchenko, she is a good player.  I think it will be tight, but Angie will come through in straight sets.