Predicted Winners in BOLD
Julia Boserup (USA) vs. Petra Kvitova (CZE) [15] – I fully admit that my heart is picking this win. I hope she has a full return to tennis.
Angelique Kerber (GER) [1]vs. Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) – This is an awful draw for both players. Kerber is struggling as the world #1 after her awesome 2016 and strong 2015 results. I think she wins, but it is a 55-45% type split as Makarova can play and the crowd will pull for an upset.
Christina McHale (USA) vs. Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) [8] – This one is another tough draw for both players. Kuznetsova has been really strong in 2017 and clay is probably her best surface.
Venus Williams (USA) [10] vs. Qiang Wang (CHN) – If this match were not on clay, I’d feel much better about Venus’ chances.
Monica Puig (PUR) vs. Roberta Vinci (ITA) [31] – If Puig were to rediscover her Rio form, she could go far against this draw. I don’t see that happening though.
Viktorija Golubic (SUI) vs. Aliaksandra Sasnovich (BLR)
Mirjana Lucic-Baroni (CRO) [22] vs. Cagla Buyukakcay (TUR) – The veteran is no longer such an underdog after her run in Melbourne.
Louisa Chirico (USA) vs. Jelena Ostapenko (LAT)
Tennis Abides: Dan Martin on Tennis and Life 