Sara Errani defeated Yanina Wickmayer, 7-5 3-6 7-6(2) in a fantastic first round match on Grandstand court lasting two hours and 44 minutes.  I was expecting it to be a complete mess, but it was a great match and for the right reasons! There was plenty of drama too as Errani absolutely lost the plot at what was an admittedly, appalling overrule by the umpire (see video below).  Lucie Safarova also needed three sets to get her first ever win over Venus Williams.  Lucie thought she had won at *5-2, but Venus challenged a Safarova winner which was actually out.  Lucie got a bit nervous, losing two games, but showed some character to close it out in the end, 6-7(2) 6-3 6-4.

YouTube video by SportsMagician JJ, posted on Twitter by @theoverrule

Now onto the pick of Wednesday’s second round matches in Cincy…

1. Eugenie Bouchard v Svetlana Kuznetsova (WTA Cincy, R2)

After two tough losses, Eugenie Bouchard will be looking to rebound in Cincy as she takes on Svetlana Kuznetsova in the second round.  Bouchard had a marvellous run to the final at Wimbledon, but she was outplayed by Petra Kvitova in a 6-3 6-0 loss.  In her first post-Wimby match, Bouchard was stunned by Shelby Rogers, 6-0 2-6 6-0 in Montreal.  Bouchard faces a really tricky match against Kuznetsova, who outlasted Camila Giorgi, 6-4 6-7(4) 6-3 in the first round.  In a match that lasted two hours and 32 minutes, Kuznetsova hit 12 aces, Giorgi hit 14 double faults and it was Kuznetsova who was able to convert on her break points in the deciding set.  Kuznetsova won their only previous match, which came earlier this year on clay in Oeiras, 6-4 6-1.  Kuznetsova is a much more versatile player than Bouchard on clay.  This will be a really intriguing match to see where Bouchard’s level is at and whether Kuznetsova can maintain her solid recent form after winning the title in DC…

Prediction: Kuznetsova d. Bouchard in 2 tight sets

2. Taylor Townsend v Flavia Pennetta (WTA Cincy, R2)

I’m excited about Taylor Townsend.  The 18-year-old has already had a great week in Cincy, coming through two qualifying round matches and knocking out the world number 36, Klara Koukalova in a topsy-turvy opening round match, 6-3 4-6 7-5 in two hours and 11 minutes.  Koukalova led by a break on numerous occasions in the decider, but couldn’t convert on multiple game points at *5-6 as Townsend secured a super win.  Koukalova had defeated Townsend in straight sets at Wimbledon earlier this year.

Next up for Townsend is Flavia Pennetta, who needed three sets to get past Chanelle Scheepers in the first round.  Since winning Indian Wells, Pennetta’s form has rather dropped off a cliff.  She’s lost more matches than she has won and hasn’t claimed back-to-back victories at a tournament since May in Rome.  Pennetta defeated Townsend at Indian Wells earlier this year, 6-3 6-7(3) 6-3.  Townsend is constantly improving and gaining experience on tour, and this has upset alert written all over it due to Pennetta’s recent poor form.  There is the possibility of a Serena v Taylor third round match if both players win their second round… that would be SO GOOD.  Of course, i’m getting ahead of myself because Pennetta will still be the favourite to win this match.  However I am going for the upset…

Prediction: Townsend d. Pennetta in 3 sets

3. Angelique Kerber v Ekaterina Makarova (WTA Cincy, R2)

Angelique Kerber and Ekaterina Makarova will do battle on a tennis court for the tenth time on the WTA tour  Kerber leads the H2H 5-4 and has won their last two matches, the most recent of those being a very straightforward 6-2 6-1 victory in Eastbourne.  Makarova though, has been in brilliant form since then.  She made the quarter-finals of Wimbledon and reached back-to-back semi-finals in Washington and Montreal.  I watched her match against Petra Kvitova last week and she played some fabulous tennis.  Kerber has also been in great form; she reached the final of Stanford and lost out to Venus Williams in a tremendous third round match in Montreal.  Makarova quashed any suggestions she may be tired as she comfortably defeated Daniela Hantuchova, 6-2 6-2 in the first round of Cincy.  Angie will be the fresher of the pair, but Makarova has the advantage of a match on the Cincy courts.  I’d give the slight edge to Kerber…

Prediction: Kerber d. Makarova in 3 sets

WTA Cincy 2nd Round Predictions

Serena Williams d. Sam Stosur in 2 sets (1 tight, 1 easy)

Sloane Stephens d. Barbora Zahlavova Strycova in 3 sets

Jelena Jankovic d. Annika Beck in 2 tight sets

Agnieszka Radwanska d. Kurumi Nara in 2 sets

Sabine Lisicki d. Sara Errani in 3 sets

Ana Ivanovic d. Christina McHale in 2 sets

Carla Suarez Navarro d Pauline Parmentier in 2 sets

Petra Kvitova d. Elina Svitolina in 2 sets

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova d. Karin Knapp in 2 sets

Lucie Safarova d. Zarina Diyas in 2 very tight sets