Eastbourne SF Match Polls for Friday
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Eastbourne QF Match Polls for Thursday
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Eastbourne R3 Match Polls for Wednesday
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Eastbourne R3 Match Thoughts for Wednesday
Kvitova vs. Radwanska: Didn’t watch either of their matches on Tuesday so difficult for me to give a valid opinion. Radwanska had a brutal second rounder vs. Gavrilova where she saved match points. Kvitova’s come straight from Birmingham and unlike last year, is playing Eastbourne. I guess Petra for the win? Kvitova seems to like doubling up with titles this year so nothing would surprise me!
Wozniacki vs. Konta: Huge match for Eastbourne with the Brit vs. the popular number one seed. Konta’s won their two previous matches handily in straight sets, but they’ve never played before on grass and Konta’s form is arguably not at the 2017 level. Both seem to raise their level at Eastbourne. I’ll stick with my initial instinct and go for Konta in 3.
Ostapenko vs. Buzarnescu: Low key match of the day! Buzarnescu beat Ostapenko earlier in the year in Doha. Buzarnescu is having a magnificent run right now and she’s so confident having rescued a 3-6 2-5 deficit against Bertens. I didn’t see Ostapenko’s win over Kanepi but that was a tough match on paper. I think i’d have to go for Osta as Buzarnescu has played so much tennis in the last week and month. I feel like it has to catch up with her at some point!
Pliskova vs. Strycova: Czech derby with Pliskova winning three of their last four matches and Strycova winning their only clash on grass. A bit on the fence with this one because I had Pliskova down as my champ. Strycova looked good today and loves the grass so I think this will be close.
Kerber vs. Collins: A great week for Collins to notch back-to-back wins on the grass. Kerber navigated a tricky opener against Cibulkova and I think she will just be too good on grass in this clash.
Barty vs. Hsieh: I’d probably take Barty with the serve, but I do like Hsieh on grass and she’s playing really well this week.
Sevastova vs. Kasatkina: Sevastova the fave as Kasatkina is still relatively inexperienced on the grass as she elaborated on in her press conference. I thought Kasatkina did well to turn it around vs. AVU and that may give her confidence to step it up in this one.
Mertens vs. Sabalenka: Mertens won their only previous match in the final of the rain-soaked Lugano tournament. The pair also practised together on Tuesday in Eastbourne. I’m going for Mertens here as I just think she will be too solid and be able to handle Sabalenka’s power.
Eastbourne R2 Match Thoughts for Tuesday
Suárez Navarro vs. Collins: Collins won her first match on grass on Sunday, beating Swan. CSN hasn’t won on grass yet after a first round loss in Mallorca to Arruabarrena. CSN won their only previous match in Indian Wells earlier this year. I feel like Collins, despite a lack of experience on grass, has a shot because she is often very aggressive and puts players under pressure. Not convinced about CSN on grass.
Mertens vs. Kuznetsova: Great win for Kuznetsova on Sunday vs. Sakkari and a real boost after a challenging time on the tour trying to come back from the wrist surgery. Mertens had a tough loss to Jakupovic in Birmingham from match point up but made the doubles final. Mertens will have little time to prepare for Eastbourne. All these matches feel difficult to call and I think i’m edging towards the unseeded player again in Kuznetsova.
Strycova vs. Vekic: Like this match-up with both probably at their best on grass. Both have already racked up a semi-final on grass this year. The pair have never played each other before. Strycova probably the safer pick but i’ll go for Vekic as I think she can catch a hot streak.
Konta vs. Krunic: Very interesting match, I remember having Konta to win the US Open and she lost first round to Krunic! Krunic is unbeaten on the grass so far this year so it’s a tricky opener for Konta. I thought Konta played well in Nottingham and got hosed by the draw in Birmingham getting Petra first round. I think i’d go for Konta in 3. It’s not a good match-up, but she’s comfortable on the grass and here on these courts in Eastbourne.
Rybarikova vs. Hsieh: Hipster match alert! This could be a fun watch so I may try to catch some of it tomorrow. I wonder how much Rybarikova will have left in the tank after her Brum run. Hsieh was so solid against the Vik so i’m going for Hsieh, who is very comfortable on the grass.
Kerber vs. Cibulkova: Tough first match for Kerber who is going for her first win on grass this year. I wasn’t too concerned about the loss to Riske in Mallorca and she spoke a good game in press and has looked good to me (hard to really judge) in practice in Eastbourne. Kerber won their last meeting handily in Sydney earlier this year. I’m going for a tight two set win for Angie.
Ostapenko vs. Kanepi: Huge hitting clash! I’ve only ever seen Ostapenko play twice live so I think I might go and watch this one. Kanepi’s at home on the grass having made the QFs at Wimby before. This will be Ostapenko’s first match on grass this year so I tend to think she might be vulnerable. I’m going for Kanepi.
Bertens vs. Buzarnescu: I was impressed with Buz on Monday, ranting aside! I don’t see why Bertens can’t play well on the grass. I’m a bit torn with this one as Buz must be shattered from all the tennis. She’s clearly super confident though and was hitting winners for fun today. Tentatively going for Buzarnescu in 3.
Gavrilova vs. Radwanska: Going to try and get on Court 2 for this one. I didn’t get to see Radwanska on Monday so hard for me to give an opinion on this one. I had Gavrilova in my Draw Challenge going far but now i’m not feeling at all confident!
Goerges vs. Sabalenka: This could be another very intriguing clash. I do like Sabalenka but I wasn’t that convinced with her vs. Vickery early doors. I didn’t see the end but clearly she came back stronger in the second and third sets. I don’t think Goerges and grass has ever been a perfect match, but she looked strong in Brum. I had Sabalenka for the upset in my Draw Challenge. I’m changing my mind all over the shop… now i’m thinking Goerges lol
Kvitova vs. Bondarenko: Kvitova didn’t come into press but guess she is intending to play as she is on the schedule. I’ll go for a Petra win.
Mladenovic vs. Barty: Barty didn’t seem happy in practice today but I wasn’t convinced by Mlads despite some nice battling to get the win. I’m going for Ash in this one.
Kasatkina vs. Van Uytvanck: Nice match-up, think it could be a tricky one for Kasatkina. The AVU-Stosur match was a baffling one on the live scoreboard. I hope Dasha can get a win as I feel she needs more time on the grass.
Eastbourne R2 Match Thoughts for Monday
Pliskova vs. Pavlyuchenkova: Pliskova has never dropped a set to Pavs so it would be quite something if Pavs could spring the upset and also on grass! Despite the poor performance to Rybarikova last week in Brum, i’m going for the defending champ to win this in straights.
Wozniacki vs. Giorgi: Arguably the match of the day. The pair have split their four previous meetings including Wozniacki’s QF win over Giorgi in Eastbourne back in 2014 in what ended with a drive-by handshake lol. I think a lot depends on Giorgi. I thought she was going to win in their last clash at Wimby but she didn’t show up and Woz cruised to the win. Woz loves Eastbourne and always plays well here. I’ll take a risk and go for Giorgi as it was my instinct and this Eastbourne week always promises upsets and surprises.
Eastbourne R2 Poll for Monday
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Eastbourne R1 Match Thoughts for Monday
Hlavackova vs. Krunic: A fantastic effort from Hlavackova to qualify for the main draw and she played so well vs. Pera. Krunic will play her first singles match since winning the title in ‘s-Hertogenbosch. Intrigued to see how Hlavackova fares. I’d probably go for Krunic.
Hsieh vs. Vikhlyantseva: The Vik knocked out two Brits in qualifying for her first two wins on grass since reaching the semi-finals of ‘s-Hertogenbosch last year. Hsieh is winless on grass this year but did take a set off Caroline Garcia in Mallorca. I like Hsieh here who has so much variety with her game generally suiting grass.
Mladenovic vs. Watson: One of the more interesting first round matches. Watson’s form has definitely improved but there will likely be some pressure here as defends SF points and her position in the top 100. Mlads started well against eventual finalist, Magdalena Rybarikova in R2 of Birmingham but fell away rapidly and seemed to be dealing with an injury. The last time Mlads and Watson played each other was an absolute epic in Acapulco with Mlads winning, 7-6(4) 6-7(5) 7-5. I think if Watson can stay calm-ish she can get the win.
Cibulkova vs. Makarova: One of the best R1 matches between two former Eastbourne champs. Makarova has won their last three matches all in three sets as the lower ranked player. Tough one to call. I feel Cibulkova is playing the better tennis of late but despite a shaky loss in Birmingham to Cornet, Makarova has great grass court credentials and is the Bourne GOAT! Tenatively picking Makarova in 3.
Kr. Pliskova vs. Dart: A great opportunity for Dart in the main draw of a Premier event. Generally been impressed with Kris Plis’s form this year and I think her serve will be key in this match.
Stosur vs. Van Uytvanck: The pair played their first match against each other in Rome earlier this year where AVU won in three sets. Stosur had a surprisingly strong run in Mallorca where she reached a first grass court SF since Eastbourne 2011. Instinct is that AVU comes through this one.
Kanepi vs. Nara: I was surprised to see Kanepi in the main draw. Kanepi has won their two previous matches in straight sets (one being a double bagel) and I generally think she will be too powerful for Nara on a grass court.
Buzarnescu vs. Peng: Interesting match this. Peng is an excellent grass court player although not too sure about her troublesome knee. I didn’t even think about this one when I wrote Buzarnescu as my winner in my Draw Challenge. Now that I contemplate it, I think a healthy Peng could win this one. For Buzarnescu, it will be interesting to see whether all the tennis catches up with her or if the sky-high confidence brings her through.
Radwanska vs. Babos: Great to see Aga back. I saw her walking between the courts yesterday and she looked relatively happy! Babos has a big game but consistency is not all there. Aga *should* win but it’s difficult to know where her level will be, despite this being her favourite surface.
Vickery vs. Sabalenka: I’m hoping to catch this match on Monday, think it could be a fun one. This will be a first time match-up between the pair. Going for Sabalenka who I think is more comfortable on the grass and could be one to watch on this surface in years to come.
Eastbourne R1 Polls for Monday
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Eastbourne R1 Match Thoughts for Sunday
Pavlyuchenkova vs. Cirstea: This will be their sixth meeting with Cirstea leading the H2H 3-2 (note one of those wins was a 3-0 first set retirement win for Pavs). Both are winless on grass so far this year. I think it’s a tricky one to call as both are powerful, aggressive players, but known for a mental wander. Instinct is Cirstea in 3.
Sakkari vs. Kuznetsova: My match of the day for sure! I’ve seen very little of Sakkari live so will definitely trying to watch this one. This will be a first time match-up and again, both players are competing for their first win on the grass this year. Kuznetsova is still trying to find her rhythm post-wrist surgery so i’m looking forward to seeing how she plays here. I thought Sakkari did reasonably well against a decent Goerges last week in Brum. I think Sakkari will edge this one.
Giorgi vs. Begu: Another first time match-up! Giorgi is definitely more comfortable on the grass so despite early exits in Nottingham and Birmingham, i’d go for Giorgi here.
Swan vs. Collins: Might watch this one as never seen either player live. This could be a nice opportunity for Swan to bag her biggest win. Collins has lost her last three matches and i’m unsure about her credentials on grass.
Putintseva vs. Vekic: This could be a fun match! Vekic definitely the favourite with her grass court credentials. Poots is coming off her French Open QF run so should be confident. Tentatively, i’d pick Vekic.
Bondarenko vs. Cornet: Cornet has dropped just six games vs. Bondarenko in their last two meetings! I watched Bondarenko on Saturday and I was quite impressed with her level so i’ll go for K.Bond.
Eastbourne R1 Polls for Sunday
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Draw Challenge
This draw will break up and it’s going to be a hoot. This is my final but I have no confidence in it haha!
R1
Wozniacki
Giorgi
Krunic
Konta
Rybarikova
Hsieh
Watson
Barty
Kerber
Makarova
Swan
Suárez Navarro
Sevastova
Kr. Pliskova
Van Uytvanck
Kasatkina
Ostapenko
Kanepi
Buzarnescu
Bertens
Gavrilova
Radwanska
Bondarenko
Kvitova
Goerges
Sabalenka
Sakkari
Mertens
Strycova
Vekic
Cirstea
Ka. Pliskova
R2
Giorgi
Konta
Hsieh
Barty
Kerber
Suárez Navarro
Sevastova
Kasatkina
Kanepi
Buzarnescu
Gavrilova
Kvitova
Sabalenka
Sakkari
Vekic
Ka. Pliskova
R3
Konta
Barty
Kerber
Kasatkina
Buzarnescu
Gavrilova
Sakkari
Ka. Pliskova
QF
Barty
Kerber
Gavrilova
Ka. Pliskova
SF
Kerber
Ka. Pliskova
F
Ka. Pliskova
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