I did say that yesterday was going to be my last post this weekend, but I wasn’t expecting the Madrid draw to be out so early on Friday.  Furthermore, I wasn’t expecting it to be so freaking AWESOME! It’s the best line-up of first round matches i’ve seen at a tournament all year so here’s some predictions, polls and mini-previews for what’s in store over the coming weekend.

1. Venus Williams v Victoria Azarenka

…… A first round match?! This is rotten luck for both Venus and Vika to have drawn each other in the first round and furthermore, in Serena’s section of the draw.  Both players have not played since Miami and will be playing their first match on the clay.  The pair last met in the semi-finals of Dubai where Vika prevailed in a superb match, one of the best of the year so far, coming from a set down to win, 2-6 6-2 6-4.  It was a noteworthy result as it was Azarenka’s first victory over Venus, who had won their first four encounters in straight sets.  Clay doesn’t necessarily suit either players’s games although the quick clay (being at altitude) could favour Venus.  As there is little to go off with form, i’m a little stumped.  I’m siding with Venus but don’t ask me why because I really don’t know!

Prediction: V.Williams d. Azarenka in 3 sets

2. Timea Bacsinszky v Maria Sharapova

Sharapova has another tricky draw as she takes on one of 2015’s in-form players in Bacsinszky.  Sharapova lost her first match in Stuttgart against an inspired, Angelique Kerber, who prevailed, 2-6 7-5 6-1. There were so many great matches in Stuttgart but for me, that was the most memorable.  Although Sharapova was outplayed in the decider, I thought she played a high level through the first two sets.  She served reasonably well and was also moving rather well considering this was her first match on clay.  Bacsinszky reached the quarter-finals of Marrakech, losing in three sets to Anna Karolina Schmiedlova.  It was an oddly erratic display from Timea who didn’t seem to have a clear gameplan.  Bacsinszky beat Sharapova in their most recent match in Wuhan at the end of 2014, 7-6 7-5.  Conditions will be very different to Marrakech so i’d expect an improved performance from Timea.  Still, I think Maria will win this in a tight two setter.

Prediction: Sharapova d. Bacsinszky in 2 tight sets

3. Sam Stosur v Angelique Kerber

This will be the first time that Kerber and Stosur have faced each other on the WTA tour since the 2011 US Open semi-finals.  Their three most recent encounters have all come in Fed Cup action with Kerber winning the last two.  Kerber is on a stunning run of form, having won back-to-back titles in Charleston and Stuttgart.  It’s been a real change-up following a poor start to the year that saw Kerber devoid of confidence and struggling for wins.  Stosur has had a tough year so far and is yet to win back-to-back matches all year.  Her game on clay is dangerous, but the confidence doesn’t seem to be there right now.  I’d go for Kerber, providing she is back to full fitness following a gruelling week in Stuttgart.

Prediction: Kerber d. Stosur in 3 sets

Andrea Petkovic v Flavia Pennetta: I remember that Pennetta has a horrible record in Madrid and hasn’t won a match since 2011.  Petkovic should be rested and has a really workable draw if she can hit the ground running.

Prediction: Petkovic d. Pennetta in 3 sets

Barbora Strycova v Eugenie Bouchard:  Most people have bookmarked this match for the handshake.  Bouchard’s form has fallen off a cliff since Melbourne and it will be intriguing to see how she gets on here.  Strycova herself hasn’t been playing great, but she has a fair shot at the upset despite having never beaten Genie in three previous encounters.

Prediction: Strycova d. Bouchard in 2 tight sets

Ekaterina Makarova v Svetlana Kuznetsova: Despite being terribly unreliable, Kuznetsova is still a name to watch out for on the clay.  Makarova’s form has been very consistent of late, but I have noticed she looks increasingly tense on court these days.  Kuznetsova has won four of their last five matches and will go in as the underdog.  This may go in her favour…

Prediction: Kuznetsova d. Makarova in 3 sets

WTA Madrid 1st Round Predictions:

Serena Williams d. Madison Brengle in 2 sets (1 tight, 1 easy)

Bethanie Mattek-Sands d. Sloane Stephens in 3 sets *unfortunate these two have to play each other again!*

Belinda Bencic d. Ajla Tomljanovic in 3 sets

Carla Suarez Navarro d. Zarina Diyas in 2 tight sets

Elina Svitolina d. Daniela Hantuchova in 2 sets

Ana Ivanovic d. Alexandra Dulgheru in 2 tight sets

Sabine Lisicki d. Coco Vandeweghe in 3 sets

Shuai Peng d. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in 2 sets *making assumptions that Peng is fit and healthy again*

Irina-Camelia Begu d. Kurumi Nara in 3 sets

Caroline Wozniacki d. Jarmila Gajdosova in 2 tight sets

Francesca Schiavone d. Casey Dellacqua in 3 sets

Agnieszka Radwanska d. Lara Arrubarrena in 2 tight sets

Karolina Pliskova d. Silvia Soler-Espinosa in 2 sets

Garbine Muguruza d. Maria-Teresa Torro-Flor in 3 sets

Madison Keys d. Kaia Kanepi in 2 tight sets

Lucie Safarova d. Alison Riske in 2 sets *a good draw for Lucie!*

Camila Giorgi d. Tsvetana Pironkova in 3 sets

Roberta Vinci d. Monica Puig in 3 sets

Simona Halep d. Alize Cornet in 2 sets

I haven’t had time to study the whole draw but i’d go for Serena.  I’m torn about who comes through the bottom half with Sharapova having a much tougher route than Halep.  At a first glance, my picks against seedings would be Petkovic to the semi-finals and Keys and Suarez Navarro to the quarters.  Anyway, enjoy Madrid this weekend everybody and i’ll be back on Sunday! 🙂