2016 Volvo Car Open-Sloane Stephens vs Elena Vesnina

It may not be the final that many would have expected, but the final in Charleston promises to be a good one, with 7th seed Sloane Stephens taking on qualifier Elena Vesnina for the title at the Volvo Car Open. This match is set to take place at around 13:00 Charleston Time (18:00 UK Time), and the winner will lift their first title in Charleston. Stephens is aiming for her 4th career title and 3rd this season, whilst Vesnina is looking for her 3rd career title and first since 2013.

Both women have had impressive runs to the final. Stephens benefited from the retirement of defending champion Angelique Kerber in the semi-final, though played a strong match and was also impressive early on with wins over the likes of Daria Gavrilova. The American also showed some strong mental strength to beat Daria Kasatkina from match point down, and will be confident coming into this. Vesnina has had to play more matches due to qualifying, though impressed in main draw wins over the likes of Belinda Bencic and Laura Siegemund. The Russian also impressed as she battled past strong clay court player Sara Errani in the semi-final, and will also be confident coming into the final.

7th seed Stephens does have an advantage of having played less matches, and clay is probably a stronger surface for the American than it is for Vesnina. Stephens will need to serve well against Vesnina, as the Russian can be a good returner, and she should look to try and use her power to dictate play and take charge of as many points as possible. The 7th seed is a slightly better mover than Vesnina, and should use this to try and get the Russian out of her comfort zone. Vesnina is a strong doubles play and should use her experience from this, especially at the net, to try and take the American out of her comfort zone. Vesnina should attack as much as possible though will probably need to defend well against the American’s power, and the Russian must serve well to have a strong chance here. She should also look to frustrate Stephens and try to give the American little options, so that Stephens will not be able to dictate play.

It is Vesnina who has won the only previous meeting between the two, but that was over three years ago, so that will not have much impact on this match. Both women are playing well and hopefully it will be a high quality and competitive battle, though the majority of advantages seem to be with Stephens and it seems that she will edge this.

Prediction: Stephens in 3

 

2016 Volvo Car Open- Elena Vesnina vs Belinda Bencic

An interesting second round match sees qualifier Elena Vesnina take on 2nd seed Belinda Bencic for a place in the third round at the Volvo Car Open. This match is set to take place on Stadium court at around 16:00 Charleston Time (21:00 UK Time) and the winner will face 17th seed Eugenie Bouchard or Lourdes Dominguez Lino in the third round.

In general, Bencic has had a relatively strong 2016 so far; she reached a final in St. Petersburg and made it into the top ten of the rankings for the first time. However, the 2nd seed has not picked up many wins of the late and may be lacking of a little confidence as she starts her clay season. In contrast, Vesnina has been playing well of late. After struggling with injury, the Russian has consistently qualified for events (like she did here) and has recorded wins over the likes of Simona Halep and Venus Williams. The Russian is in resurgent form, though clay may not be her best surface.

Over the past couple of years, Bencic’s game has developed greatly and she’ll need to use it to full effect today. The Swiss star will certainly need to serve well (she has struggled with that in her past couple of losses) and should look to try and dictate play, as she is arguably more powerful than the Russian; she could use that to her advantage. The 2nd seed should also look to try and  vary her game style, though must try and keep Vesnina away from the net; the Russian is a doubles specialist and is good in this area. Vesnina will need to serve well against a relatively strong returner, and should look to try and move play around the court; she is arguably a better mover than Bencic.

The two have net met previously; another aspect that makes this an interesting clash. Vesnina does have an opportunity considering how well she has played of late, and has reached the final here previously. However, Bencic has also played well here in the past, and should be able to edge this clash.

Prediction: Bencic in 3