Predicted Winners in BOLD

[14] Elena Vesnina (RUS) vs. [28] Kristina Mladenovic (FRA) – Both players are producing some great tennis.  I think Vesnina has slightly more momentum and is slightly more likely to set the terms of this match.  This is close to a coin flip, so I predict Vesnina d. Mladenovic 6-4, 4-6, 6-3.

[3] Karolina Pliskova (CZE) vs. [8] Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) – Pliskova’s play since Cincinnati last summer has been quite good.  She had a hiccup in Melbourne, but I think she is a good bet to keep climbing the rankings due to her big serve and clean striking ability.  Her serve and return let her dictate play more often than not.  Errors can be her undoing, but the match is on her racquet against most players.  I predict Pliskova d. Kuznetsova 7-5, 6-3.