The first match of the day on Tuesday beginning at 7.30pm local time (12.30pm UK time) will feature the number two seed, Maria Sharapova up against the number eight seed, Caroline Wozniacki.  This is one of the more inviting matches from the white group.  In their last match-up, Sharapova and Wozniacki played arguably the best match at this year’s US Open.  Wozniacki defeated Sharapova, 6-4 2-6 6-2 in two hours and 37 minutes and won her next two matches to reach her second Grand Slam final.

Wozniacki has had done a magnificent job to qualify for this year’s YEC in Singapore.  After a first round loss at the French Open, she was miles away from the cut-off.  A sensational run of form stretching from Eastbourne to Singapore has seen her post a 31-9 W-L record, which has included winning a title in Istanbul and final appearances at the US Open and Tokyo.  Wozniacki has been so much more positive in her play and there has been a concerted effort to be more aggressive.  She was at her best during the summer hard court season and at the US Open.  Her form in Asia wasn’t quite as good, but it was still solid enough to help her book a place in the final eight.

Between Wimbledon and Beijing, Sharapova progressed past the last 16 of a tournament on just one occasion at Cincy.  Her fortunes changed in Bejing where she won the title, beating Ana Ivanovic and Petra Kvitova in her final two matches.  Sharapova’s form had been ropey through the summer although her trademark fight had masked some of this.  In Beijing, Sharapova sent out a pretty firm message that she was back to her best and she heads into Singapore as not only one of the form players, but one of the few without any notable injuries.

In beating Sharapova at the US Open, Wozniacki played a tremendous match.  It will take something really special for Wozniacki to produce that again.  Since the US Open, she has regressed slightly in her attacking stance.  This could be due to fatigue because her schedule has been very heavy since Wimbledon.  Sharapova’s form has also improved; despite a great showing from Wozniacki in that US Open match, Sharapova didn’t impose herself in that third set.  Sharapova will be gunning for revenge… And that’s not good news for Caro.

Prediction: Sharapova d. Wozniacki in 3 sets

Poll Result from Day 1: 62% of readers correctly predicted that Serena would beat Ana in the first match from Singapore.