Montreal is delivering up some fantastic match-ups this week.  I really wish these kind of tournaments were spread out over like ten days.  It just feels so rushed and I cannot keep up! I’m focusing on the WTA matches for Thursday as I haven’t had time to do an ATP preview.  I have included the Toronto matches in the predictions below.  If you’ve got any thoughts, be loud and proud! Any predictions are ALWAYS appreciated 🙂

1. Sabine Lisicki v Agnieszka Radwanska (WTA Montreal, R3)

In a replay of the sensational 2013 Wimbledon semi-final, Sabine Lisicki and Agnieszka Radwanska will meet in the last 16 of the Rogers Cup in Montreal.  On that day, Lisicki beat Radwanska in a classic encounter, 6-4 2-6 9-7.  It was one of the best matches of last year and it was famously remembered for the ice cold handshake that Radwanska gave Lisicki at the end of the match.  You can read my full recap of that match HERE, which featured at number five in my countdown of best WTA matches in 2013.  Wimbledon-aside, this has been Sabine’s best week of the year.  It is only the third time this year that she has won back-to-back matches at the same tournament (Madrid and Wimby were the other two).  She knocked out Sara Errani in the first round and then held on for a three set victory over Madison Keys, 4-6 6-1 6-4.  It was a shame that match wasn’t streamed because it sounded like a fun one.  I’m pleased for Sabine, but equally gutted for Madison who I was really hoping would push on during the summer.

Agnieszka Radwanska defeated Barbora Zahlavova Strycova to move into the third round of Montreal with a 6-4 6-4 victory.  It was a hard fought victory and certainly not one of Aga’s strongest performances.  She was a break down in both sets, but it was an improvement on a very disappointing three set loss to Varvara Lepchenko in Stanford.  Lisicki leads the H2H 2-1.  Radwanska’s recent form gives Sabine hope in this match.  I’m always wary of going for Sabine because of her ability to completely lose the plot at times.  However, I think there is enough evidence from their recent matches and that Wimby match, probably Radwanska’s most crushing loss to date, to suggest she’s got a good shot at the upset.  What the hell, i’ll take the risk…

Prediction: Lisicki d. Radwanska in 3 sets

2. Venus Williams v Angelique Kerber (Montreal, R3)

The two best matches in Montreal are both after 11pm in the UK so i’m pretty bummed! Venus Williams will take on Angelique Kerber on Thursday.  The pair played three times in 2012 with Kerber winning all three of their matches.  Their last two encounters were both excellent.  Kerber defeated Venus at the Olympics, 7-6(5) 7-6(5) and then held on for a terrific three set win at the 2012 US Open, 6-2 5-7 7-5.  Kerber went down an early break to Caroline Garcia in her first match since the Stanford final, but rallied to win comfortably, 6-4 6-1.  Venus beat Yulia Putintseva, 6-3 6-2.  Venus’s serve is looking great at the moment and particularly compared to last year when back issues meant she was just rolling in the first serve.  This should be a really great match.  Kerber has a good record against Venus, but the American is playing on a much higher level than their last meeting in 2012.  If Kerber maintains a solid balance between defence and attack, I think she will come through.

Prediction: Kerber d. V.Williams in 3 sets

WTA Montreal 3rd Round Predictions

Serena Williams d. Lucie Safarova in 2 sets *Come on Lucie!*

Caroline Wozniacki d. Shelby Rogers in 2 sets

Maria Sharapova d. Carla Suarez Navarro in 2 sets

Petra Kvitova d. Ekaterina Makarova in 3 sets

ATP Toronto 3rd Round Predictions

Novak Djokovic d. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in 2 sets

Andy Murray d. Richard Gasquet in 2 tight sets

Stan Wawrinka d. Kevin Anderson in 3 sets

Grigor Dimitrov d. Tommy Robredo in 2 tight sets

Milos Raonic d. Julien Benneteau in 2 tight sets

Feliciano Lopez d. Tomas Berdych in 2 tight sets

David Ferrer d. Ivan Dodig in 3 sets

Roger Federer d. Marin Cilic in 2 sets (1 tight, 1 easy)