Roland Garros Women's Predictions

Serena and Venus Williams enter Roland Garros ranked 1 and 2, respectively, for the first time in 7 years, but that doesn't mean they are the top two favorites. Serena can never be counted out at a major, because when she wants it she goes and gets it, but it's no mystery that the American struggles mightily on the red dirt. In her illustrious career she has only won the French once, while Venus has never won it. Older sis has the best record of any woman on tour this year, at 26-4, but those four losses have been strange. Blowouts at the hands of Jelena Jankovic and Kim Clijsters, and unforced error-filled disasters against Aravane Rezai and Li Na. Justine Henin is probably the most-picked 22nd seed in Major history, while Svetlana Kuznetsova, the defending champ, could repeat or get double-bageled in round one. once again with the ladies, it's anyone's guess.

1st Quarter

So much for being the top seed, right? Serena's quarter is LOADED. Serena's chances are already greatly diminished on clay, but with a stacked quarter to get through, the tennis gods were not on ReRe's side at the draw ceremony. Here lies Justine Henin, 4-time FO winner, Sam Stosur, 2009 semifinalist, playing incredibly well this year and Maria Sharapova, 2009 quarterfinalist. Henin has obviously proved herself as the best clay-courter in women;s tennis, but she's had to win ugly a lot this year, and with motivation on her side, Sam Stosur could very well defeat the Belgian in their potential 4th round match. Of course, Henin will have to get by Sharapova, who won in Strasbourg this week, but that doesn't seem to be much of an issue. Serena will have her hands full with Shahar Peer, seeded 18th, and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, a big hitting Russian that could give Williams trouble. Here's your first surprise of the women's draw.

Early rounder to keep an eye on: Sharapova vs. Henin

Quarterfinals: Stosur def. Williams

2nd Quarter

Jelena Jankovic headlines a tricky 2nd section that won't be easy to conquer. Agnieszka Radwanksa is a surprise 8th seed followed by Dinara Safina, who's comeback from back surgery hasn't gone as planned, causing the Russian to fall out of the top 8, to number 9. Vera Zvonareva, Alisa Kleybanova and Yanina Wickmayer all pose serious threats to make a deep run. Jankovic enters Roland Garros having had a solid clay-court campaign, reaching the finals in Rome, beating both Williams; along the way. Radwanska has been off the radar and isn't playing well enough to make any noise, and the same goes for two-time runner-up Safina. Zvonareva was impressive in Charleston, while Kleybanova can outhit anyone when she's hot. WIckmayer is tricky to figure out, but was trounced by Jankovic in Rome. Ana Ivanovic, the 2008 Roland Garros champion, also lies in the 2nd section, and impressed in Rome, but she's not ready to be a contender again. It's evident that JJ will have a difficult time reaching the semis, but she won't have to see Radwanska, Safina, Zvonareva or Kleybanova till the quarters, and once she's on a roll she's hard to stop.

Early rounder to keep an eye on: Kleybanova vs. Ivanovic

Quarterfinals: Jankovic def. Kleybanova

3rd Quarter

There isn't really a nice way to put this. The 3rd quarter of the women's draw sucks. Sure, the 2009 French Open winner, Svetlana Kuznetsova, is here, but Kuzzie is so sporadic it's anyone's guess what she could do. And Caroline Wozniacki, seeded 3rd, comes in with zero confidence, with just 3 wins in her last 4 tournaments and a serious ankle injury. While Kuznetsova is underplayed, Wozniacki is overplayed, and it's coming back to hurt her. Obviously, one person from this section is going to reach the semis, but none have the current form needed to do it. So it's safe to go out on a limb and pick someone out of a hat. Fine, you wouldn't be too smart to go with Misaki Doi of Japan, but perhaps Elena Vesnina, a powerful Russian with years of experience on her side, wouldn't be too far of a limb? She'll have to get by Wozzi, Kuzzie, Li Na, Francesca Schiavone, Lucie Safarova and Flavia Pennetta, and that's no easy task, but there isn't a safe choice.

Early rounder to keep an eye on: Polona Hercog vs. Safarova

Quarterfinals: Vesnina def. Safarova



4th Quarter

Like her sister, Venus got the short end of the stick with the extremely deep draw she'll have to get through. Elena Dementieva isn't playing her best tennis right now, but as a former French Open finalist and the best groundstroker in women's tennis, she'll always have a chance. Victoria Azarenka, Aravane Rezai, winner in Madrid, Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez, winner in Rome, and Nadia Petrova all have the game to knock off Venus or Elena. Rezai did it just last week with her straight set win over Williams and Martinez Sanchez's crafty serve and volley game sets her apart from hers peers. Azarenka reached the quarters here last year and Petrova is a one-time semifinalist. Venus could meet Petrova in the 3rd round, while Azarenka and Sanchez are slated to face in that same round for a shot at Dementieva. Whoever comes out of this section triumphant, one thing is assured: It'll be quite the thriller.

Early rounder to keep an eye on: Martinez Sanchez vs Azarenka

Quarterfinals: Dementieva def. Petrova

Semifinals: Jankovic def. Stosur, Dementieva def. Vesnina

The two best women on tour that have yet to win a major will square off in the final that is guarenteed to be exciting. Both have reached a major final and lost, and a Grand Slam crown is long overdue for both. But more for Dementieva. Time for the WTA's resident screacher to lose that "best to never win a major" title.

Finals: Dementieva def. Jankovic

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

Indian Wells Results: Ljubicic, Rafa, JJ and Stosur Reach Semis

After stunning the crowd in Indian Wells with his win over Novak Djokovic, Ivan Ljubicic kept his dream run alive, backing up his win with comeback 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 win over Juan Monaco the day before his 31st birthday to reach the semifinals. “I got a phone call from my brother just after the match. He said that in Croatian time zone I finish just like couple seconds before my birthday, so it’s fantastic,” Ljubicic said.

6th seeded Jelena Jankovic is also having a surprisingly impressive week, having little trouble reaching the semifinals, beating Alisa Kleybanova 6-4, 6-4. Lately the Serbian has had her fair share of difficulties regarding her tennis, but it seems as though she is back to her playing ways of 2008.

“I haven’t been playing well,” JJ said. “So it’s nice to get that feeling back and to be winning again and be in the end of the tournament again.”

In the night match, Rafael Nadal was electric in ousting Tomas Berdych in straights, 6-4, 7-6 (4). In his first tournament back since a knee injury hampered him in Australia, Nadal is crediting his performance thus far to his going for more on his groundstrokes, telling the press, "I’m playing a big forehand from baseline and going inside the court, being more aggressive.”

Sam Stosur has quietly been steamrolling her competition, as the Aussie has yet to drop a set in 4 matches, most recently defeating Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez 6-3, 7-6 (7). With her result so far, she will be assured a spot inside the top 10 for the first time in her career in next week's version of the WTA rankings.

Indian Wells Results: Baghdatis Saves 3 M.P.'s, Beats Federer; Murray, Wozniacki and Roddick Advance

"It's the biggest win of my career," Marcos Baghdatis told the Indian Wells crowd after saving 3 match points to defeat world number 1 Roger Federer, 5-7, 7-5, 7-6 (4). Baghdatis fell to his knees and kissed the court when the Cypriot converted on match point, beating Federer for the 1st time in 7 matches. Joining Baghdatis in the 4th round are Andy Murray and Robin Soderling, both straight set winners on Tuesday. James Blake took Nicolas Almagro to 3 sets before falling to the Spaniard 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.

Elena Dementieva easily defeated Aravane Rezai to reach the quarterfinals, where she will play Agnieszka Radwanska, who was a 6-3, 6-2 winner over Marion Bartoli. In the 1st quarterfinal matchup on the top half of the draw, Alisa Kleybanova will take on Jelena Jankovic after both ladies advanced, beating Carla Suarez Navarro in 3 and Shahar Peer in 2, respectively.

Andy Roddick continued his impressive run through the draw as the American earned a solid 3 and 4 victory over Thiemo de Bakker. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga dropped the opening set in his 3rd round encounter with Albert Montanes, but stepped up his game to take the next two and advance. Simon Gruel withdrew from the tournament due to illness, giving Jurgen Melzer a spot in the 4th round. The final round of 16 spot went to Tommy Robredo, a 6-3, 6-0 winner over Dudi Sela.

After looking very impressive in her first two matches, Caroline Woznaicki saw her first dangerous opponent on Tuesday in the 4th round, but still advanced, fighting past Nadia Petrova 6-3, 3-6, 6-0. The tournament's highest remaining seed will play Jie Zheng in the quarters, a 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (1) winner over Alicia Molik. Rounding out the final 8 were Sam Stosur, who beat Vera Zvonareva comfortably, and Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez, who upset Yanina Wickmayer 6-4, 6-4.

Indian Wells Results: Rafa and Djokovic Move On, Kleybanova Bounces Clijsters

Russian Alisa Kleybanova stunned the Indian Wells crowd on Monday when she took out 14th seeded Kim Clijsters in the 3rd round, 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 (4). The Belgian came unravelled after leading 4-0 in the breaker, addressing her inability to close it out afterwards, saying, "I let it slip away. She played some really good points to get back into it. She kept me under pressure. I took my foot off the accelerator. That’s most definitely the wrong thing to do." In another upset, Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez earned a straight set victory over 3rd seed Victoria Azarenka. Shahar Peer and Carla Suarez Navarro upended Flavia Pennetta and Agnes Szavay, respectively, after dropping the middle sets.

Novak Djokovic showed his second-to-none fighting spirit in his 3rd rounder with his 2009 Roland Garros conqueror Phillip Kohlschreiber, saving 3 match points in the 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (3) win. Joining the Serb in the 4th round were Tomas Berdych, John Isner and Ivan Ljubicic, 3 big servers who advanced in 2 sets.

Jelena Jankovic was on the verge of losing before she put the pedal to the medal, recovering from a 1 set deficit to defeat Sara Errani in 3 hours, 2-6, 7-6 (6), 6-4. Sam Stosur dominated Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-0, 6-3, while Vera Zvonareva turned her country's frowns upside down, having no trouble in a straight set win over Anastija Sevastova. 13th seeded Yanina Wickmayer, the last Belgian standing after Clijsters' and Henin's losses, dug deep to triumph in a 3 setter over Roberta Vinci, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3.

Juan Monaco showed his endurance in outlasting Juan Carlos Ferrero, 7-6 (2), 3-6, 6-3. Ferrero's fellow Spaniard, Rafael Nadal, gave his best match thus far, winning 2 and 2 against Mario Ancic. Guillermo Garcia-Lopez, another Spaniard, came back from a 1 set deficit to oust Tomaz Bellucci.