The main draw action begins for the women today in Cincinnati, as the Western and Southern Open gets properly underway on Monday. None of the top eight seeds are in action but there are still several exciting matches taking place- here are my predictions for three of them!
Madison Brengle vs Jelena Jankovic
An American starts the action on Stadium 3 as Madison Brengle faces former world No.1 Jelena Jankovic. Brengle got off to a great start this year, reaching her first career final in Hobart and reaching the 4th round at the Australian Open. but has not played well since reaching the semi-finals in Stuttgart. Jankovic has had a mixed year, with highs such as reaching the Indian Wells final and defeating Petra Kvitova at Wimbledon but lows such as 1st round losses at the Australian and French Opens. Jankovic is certainly in slightly better form, though Brengle did show some signs of returning to her best last week at the Rogers Cup and will have the crowd behind her.
Prediction: Jankovic in 3
Alison Riske vs Elina Svitolina
Alison Riske and 14th seed Elina Svitolina face off on Stadium 3 this evening, and the crowd will be in for a treat if it is as thrilling as their match in Stanford two weeks ago. On that day Svitolina eventually battled past the American 4-6 7-5 6-1, with Riske faltering when she served for the match. Svitolina is currently 20th and reached a career high of 15th last week, and her good form this year has been capped off by a title in Marrakesh and a first Grand Slam quarter-final at the French Open. Riske hasn’t been in great form this year but has been consistent throughout this year and will be looking for the crowd to inspire her to victory.
Prediction: Svitolina in 3
Madison Keys vs Timea Bacsinszky
An extremely intriguing match starts the night session in Cincinnati, with the young talent Madison Keys facing the much improved Timea Bacsinszky. 12th seed Bacsinszky started the year just inside the top 50 but titles in Acapulco and Monterrey, a runner-up spot in Shenzhen, a semi-final at the French Open and quarter-final at Wimbledon has seen her ranking rise to inside the top 15. Keys has also had a good year, reaching the quarter-finals at Wimbledon and the semi-finals at the Australian, but is still very inconsistent and is prone to making lots of errors. Against Bacsinszky, one of the best counter-punchers in the game, she must keep her errors at a minimum or she’ll lose, just like she did when they met at the French Open. This match is probably on Keys’ racket; it looks as if it will depend on how well the American as playing.
Prediction: Bacsinszky in 3
Also in action
Tsvetana Pironkova and Lucie Hradecka face off for the chance to face Serena Williams, whilst Barbora Strycova and Vavara play for the chance to play Maria Sharapova. Venus Williams starts her campaign against Zarina Diyas whilst Sam Stosur faces Timea Babos. There is an all-German battle between Andrea Petkovic and Julia Goerges, whilst there will be a feisty battle between Coco Vandeweghe and Yulia Putintseva.
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