Moo’s Tennis Blog is now on Facebook! I’ll be updating the Facebook page with all my posts and generally bringing joy to the world so please like the page HERE.  I’ve already added a selection of my best photos from the grass court season and some of the best ones from Omar Boraby, who contributed his photos from Cincy for Moo’s Tennis Blog.  Facebook will be a great way to share my photos in the future.  I have tickets for one session at the World Tour Finals in London next month so i’ll make sure to put some more pictures up then! For WTA action in Beijing on Wednesday, there are three second round matches and two third round matches.

Poll Results from Tuesday: 68% correctly predicted that Petkovic would beat Keys, 68% correctly predicted that Sharapova would beat Svitolina and 34% correctly predicted that Lisicki would beat Bouchard.

1. Angelique Kerber v Svetlana Kuznetsova (WTA Beijing, R3)

Fourth up on the Lotus Court, Angelique Kerber and Svetlana Kuznetsova will contest the first of the third round matches in Beijing on Wednesday.  Based on their previous encounters, this should be a super match.  The pair played twice on the clay last year and both matches went the distance; in Madrid, Kerber won 3-6 6-4 7-5, but Kuznetsova turned the tables at Roland Garros, winning 6-4 4-6 6-3.  The latter of those matches was ranked at number 10 in my countdown of favourite WTA matches from the 2013 season.

Kerber has had some tough losses since Wimbledon, which have halted her intentions to qualify for the YEC in Singapore.  In Beijing, Kerber defeated Casey Dellacqua in three sets and then overcame Zarina Diyas for the second consecutive week.  In Wuhan, Kerber battled for over two hours to beat Diyas, 4-6 6-2 6-4, but she had things far easier in Beijing as she progressed with a 6-3 6-1 victory.  It was also a case of déjà vu for Kuznetsova, who defeated Kurumi Nara for the second consecutive week  The pair have played three times this year with Kuznetsova winning all three matches in straight sets.  After a couple of shaky losses, Kuznetsova has steadied the ship.  I expect this match to go down to the wire; in terms of who will hold their nerve in the crucial moment, i’d have more faith in Kerber.

Prediction: Kerber d. Kuznetsova in 3 sets

2. Maria Sharapova v Carla Suarez Navarro (WTA Beijing, R3)

Photo by Omar Boraby

Two matches in, Maria Sharapova has not been troubled so far in Beijing.  In her first round match, she defeated Kaia Kanepi, 6-4 6-1 and in the second round, took out the in-form, Elina Svitolina without much fuss, 6-2 6-2.  Sharapova takes on Carla Suarez Navarro in the third round, who recorded her first win over Flavia Pennetta on hard courts in the second round.  Suarez Navarro was a set and a break up, but needed three sets to defeat the Italian, 6-1 3-6 6-2.  Suarez Navarro defeated Sharapova in their last match-up in Montreal earlier this year.  Suarez Navarro rallied after losing the second set to beat an out-of-sorts Sharapova, 6-2 4-6 6-2.  I am sure that match will stick in Sharapova’s mind and that will give her extra motivation to come through this match.

Prediction: Sharapova d. Suarez Navarro in 2 sets

WTA Beijing 2nd Round Predictions

Petra Kvitova d. Peng Shuai in 2 sets (1 tight, 1 easy)

Alize Cornet d. Lauren Davis in 2 sets

Caroline Wozniacki d. Sam Stosur in 2 tight sets