Predicted Winners in BOLD

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWN4vFuSYas]

[2] Simona Halep (ROU) vs [Q] Alexandra Dulgheru (ROU) – The Battle for Bucharest should go to the the #1 Romanian.  Halep seems to be in good form.

[3] Maria Sharapova (RUS) vs Victoria Azarenka (BLR) – Vika tends to have her best success vs. Sharapova on hard courts.  On other surfaces, Sharapova has generally won.  Sharapova is the reigning French Open champion.  However, I like Vika’s clay court form.  Also, her ranking is in a spot where she has nothing to lose and can swing more freely.

[4] Petra Kvitova (CZE) vs  [10] Carla Suárez Navarro (ESP) – This is an intriguing match.  CSN’s one-handed backhand creates angles not normally seen on the WTA.  Is that enough to knock Petra out of the zone?  I don’t think so, but it should be a fun match.

[Q] Christina McHale (USA) vs  [Q] Daria Gavrilova (RUS) – Both women have played a lot of tennis coming through qualifying.  That is why McHale having a walk-over is going to be quite beneficial to her in this match.  I always like players who came through qualifying in a first round match, but as the tournament goes further those extra matches take a toll.