Women’s Singles - Round 2
Nicole Vaidisova (CZE) vs. Alisa Kleybanova (RUS)
Kleybanova was a former student at the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy. She is a big girl and will hits like a big girl. When she gets her shots in, it is trouble for her opponents. Her first serve is okay, and the 2nd serve sits up and says, “Hit me, hit me!!” Movement will be a big factor for her, especially when reaching for wide forehands.
Vaidisova starts the match with several advantages in her corner. She has one of the biggest serves on the WTA Tour, will hit huge groundstrokes from any place on the court, and will not relent.
Match-Up:
Vaidisova has been working very hard at the Academy, and feels her timing and confidence are on the rise. She must not let her emotions get the best of her in this match. Kleybanova must have a high 1st serve percentage and go for aggressive shots all the time.
Nick’s Pick – Vaidisova in 2 sets
Anna Chakvetadze (RUS) vs. Tamira Paszek (AUT)
Paszek is coming off of a three set victory over young Frenchwoman Alize Cornet in the first round. She is a tough competitor and showed it in that match. She will have her work cut out for her if she wants to get by Chakvetadze.
Speaking of Chakvetadze, she is one of the most consistent players on the WTA Tour. She has been ranked in the Top-10 for a while now, but has yet to really make a big splash. If she could get to the finals here, that would be a step in the right direction.
Match-Up:
Paszek is a strong girl, who has a very good two-handed backhand. Her movement is fair, and the forehand is definitely the weaker side. She doesn’t have a huge serve, but she puts the ball deep in the box keeping her opponents pushed back. I look for Chakvetadze to use her solid groundstrokes from both sides to attack the Paszek forehand throughout the match. Chakvetadze will not make many mistakes, and that isn’t good for Paszek.
Nick’s Pick – Chakvetadze in 2 sets
Venus Williams (USA) vs. Marta Domachowska (POL)
Venus comes into the tournament ranked #7 in the world, and has a 7-4 record on the year. She has had great success here in the past, winning the title three times in 1998, 1999, and in 2001. Last year she lost to Sharapova in the third round.
Domachowska got a hard-fought win over Jill Craybas in the first round, 6-4, 0-6, 7-6(6). It was a long match, and we will have to see if that took anything out of her. She will have to be ready to fight in this match!
Match-Up:
This will be the fourth time these two have faced, with Williams defeating her on all three previous occasions. Domachowska has a solid 1st serve, moves well, and hits the run-around forehand very flat. She is in tremendous physical shape and has a very solid two-handed backhand.
We haven’t seen too much of Williams this year since the Aussie Open, and that leaves us wondering how she will approach this tournament. I look for her to control the court in this match, and she will not fear coming forward. She has a powerful serve and her long wing span enables her to get to many balls that her opponents can’t. At times Venus does get off to a slow start, which may give Domachowska a chance, but she is capable of winning this match in two sets. The only thing Venus must watch out for is unforced errors from the forehand side.
Nick’s Pick – V. Williams in 2 sets
Shahar Peer (ISR) vs. Nathalie Dechy (FRA)
Dechy won’t need any breakfast this morning because she had two bagels on Wednesday! She defeated Aiko Nakamura 6-0, 6-0 in the first round. This was probably her best match of the year, as she comes in 6-7 on the year having lost last week in the first round at Indian Wells.
Peer comes into the tournament ranked #19 in the world, and she received a bye in the first round. Last year she reached the semifinals here, before losing to Serena Williams in straight sets.
Match up:
Dechy is 1-0 against Peer, with that win coming back in 2006 at Eastbourne. What makes Peer so special is her movement, discipline, and competitiveness. I am sure that relates back to the time she spent in the Israeli army. She is very good at turning offensive shots from her opponents into winners for herself. This gives her the edge against many of her opponents. Dechy is a fox. She has been around for a while, and likes to mix it up on the court. She is full of variety and knows how to win matches. If Peer plays up to her ability and takes advantage of her physical strength, I give the edge to Peer.
Nick’s Pick – Peer in 2 sets
P.S. If Dechy gets some confidence she is very capable of wining this match. She has already had breakfast, and you know she will be hungry for lunch!!
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