Predicted Winners in BOLD Na Li (CHN) [4] vs. Flavia Pennetta (ITA) [28] – Pennetta is a tough player who has gotten better with age (no easy task). Na Li has one French Open title and two Australian Open runner-up finishes in recent years. Li plays well in Melbourne and has more weapons than Pennetta. For those reasons, I…
Tag: Na Li
US Open 2013: Na Li vs. Serena Williams Prediction
Expect a similar match Na Li is one of the few players in the draw who could challenge Serena Williams. Li has twice been a runner-up at the Australian Open so she has hard court successes in her resume. She also lost a tight and exciting match to Williams at Cincinnati 4 weeks ago 7-5,…
US Open 2013: Day 9 Women’s Predictions
Predicted Winners in BOLD Quarterfinals Serena Williams (1) vs. Carla Suarez Navarro (18) – This could be interesting at times due to the angels that Carla Suarez Navarro creates. However, Serena should move into the final four. Na Li (5) vs. Ekaterina Makarova (24) – This is hard to call because Na Li is a bit unpredictable and because Makarova is…
US Open 2013: Day 7 Women’s Predictions
Predicted Winner in BOLD Fourth Round Serena Williams (1) vs. Sloane Stephens (15) – This could be a good match, but I think Serena has to be the pick regardless of Melbourne. Agnieszka Radwanska (3) vs. Ekaterina Makarova (24) – Radwanska lacks power and could get pushed around for awhile, but I think she wins in straight sets. Na Li (5) vs. Jelena…
Cincinnati WTA Predictions: August 17, 2013
Predicted Winners in BOLD Semifinals Serena Williams (1) vs. Na Li (5) – Williams is obviously the favorite based on her form in 2013. Li is one of the few players who, if on her game, can push Serena outside of her comfort zone with both power and variety. I’m hoping Na Li is playing well so that…
WTA Toronto Semifinal Predictions
Predicted Winners in BOLD Semifinals Na Li (4) vs. Sorana Cirstea – I am picking Na Li as she has a great game and more experience, but she is also erratic. Serena Williams (1) vs. Agnieszka Radwanska (3) – This Wimbledon 2012 rematch is a contrast in styles, but I think Serena is clearly the favorite.
WTA Toronto Predictions August 8
Predicted Winners in BOLD Third Round Sara Errani (5) vs. Alize Cornet – Variety and fight should help Errani advance. Jelena Jankovic (15) vs. Sorana Cirstea – JJ is playing well enough in 2013 that she might move back into the top 7 or 8 at some point. Roberta Vinci (10) vs. Dominika Cibulkova – I love Vinci’s game. Marion Bartoli (7) vs. Magdalena Rybarikova – Wimbledon…
Jimmy Connors has 2 Missions as Maria Sharapova’s Coach
Mission 1 – Serena Like most people who follow tennis, my first reaction to Maria Sharapova hiring Jimmy Connors was mild confusion. The more I thought about it; the more I figured Connors’ unwillingness to concede anything to players who had favorable head-to-head records against Jimbo was the key to his hiring. Connors promised something…
Australian Open Women’s Final Pick Li vs. Azarenka
Predicted Winner in BOLD Victoria Azarenka (BLR) [1] v Na Li (CHN) [6] WARNING: I have picked against Na Li in the past two rounds and been spectacularly wrong. Each player enters the third Grand Slam final of her career. I think Li has more variety than Azarenka and a better serve. Those two factors…
Australian Open Women’s Semifinal Picks
Predicted Winners in BOLD Women’s Singles – Semifinals Na Li (CHN) [6] v Maria Sharapova (RUS) [2] Na Li did defeat Maria Sharapova in the 2011 French Open semifinal en route to her lone Grand Slam title. Sharapova has since captured the French Open title and is destroying her 2013 competition. Na Li could win…
Tennis Abides: Dan Martin on Tennis and Life 