WTA Miami Predictions

Svetlana Kuznetsova is the top seed this year in Miami as Serena is out due to a knee injury.

And Sveta got damn lucky because despite how poorly she has been playing, her quarter of the draw is weak. I mean WEAK.

After Kuzzie comes 8th seeded Li Na and Yanina Wickmayer. Wickmayer was my Indian Wells pick last week but she was ousted relatively early. But because of how soft this top section is, I'm tempted to pick her for the semis again. After those three come Marion Bartoli and Alona Bondarenko, who could meet each other in the 3rd round and then play Kuznetsova. Both present problems for the Russian and are potential bracket busters. Szavay, Aravane Rezai and Alekzansdra Wozniack round out the seeded ladies.

Quarterfinals: Wickmayer def. Bartoli

Venus did her regular parade around Indian Wells with her cardboard boycott sign last week, but prior to that, girl was on a roll. She had 3 titles in 3 weeks, in Dubai, Acapulco and at the BJK Cup. If she can pick up where she left off, she'll get to the semis without much trouble, but Agnieszka Radwanska, who played beautifully in California last week, does present some threat, albeit small. Flavia Pennetta and Nadia Petrova are dangerous on hard courts and are prone to make a run. Ana Ivanovic, lucky to be seeded as the draws came out before the new rankings, which have her out of the top 50, is a possible 3rd round match for Radwanska. Daniela Hantuchova and Petrova could meet early on as well, providing for an entertaining battle.

Quarterfinals: Williams def. Radwanska

Victoria Azarenka comes in as the 3rd seed and defending champ ready to redeem herself after bowing out of Indian Wells pretty early. It won't be easy though. Her quarter is arguably the toughest, featuring Jelena Jankovic, IW champion, Sam Stosur, IW semifinalist, Kim Clijsters, Shahar Peer, Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez, IW quarterfinalist and Jie Zheng. It's near impossible to pick a darkhorse, as any of these ladies could end up as the semifinalist. Stosur and JJ could meet in the round of 16 in a rematch of their semifinal last week, while Kimmie and Azarenka are headed for a 4th round clash as well. This section is loaded, but current form is always a big factor.

Quarterfinals: Jankovic def. Azarenka

Caroline Wozniacki is the headliner here as the number 2 seed, and like good friend Azarenka, has a daunting task ahead of her. Justine Henin and Elena Dementieva, who will probably meet in a blockbuster 2nd round match, are both capable of derailing Wozzi, and Vera Zvonareva, Francesca Schiavone and Alisa Kleybanova all turn in their best results at the spring hardcourt events. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and Schiavone could create an entertaining 3rd round match of contrasting styles, while Russians Zvonareva and Kleybanova are headed for a clash in that same round.

It's anyone's call.

Quarterfinal: Kleybanova def. Wozniacki

Semifinals: Williams def. Wickmayer, Jankovic def. Kleybanova

Finals: Williams def. Jankovic