Tough Test for stuttering Kvitova

 

Even with the absence of the Williams sisters there is still plenty of quality tennis to be seen as eight of the current top ten in the women's game remain in the  draw. Of those eight, Petra Kvitova could be in the most amount of trouble tonight...

 

While Petra Kvitova is undoubtedly an exceptional talent, there are reasons to oppose her tonight.

 

Firstly she didn't appear to be firing on all cylinders in her last match, serving ten double-faults and letting her head drop in the second Set. Secondly she has in  the past openly confessed to not enjoying playing in North America because the humidity affects her asthma, and finally she is facing a young girl, Lesya Tsurenko, who  is showing plenty of belief and self-confidence.

 

Tsurenko has reached her highest ever ranking of 74, the young Ukranian has had an impressive start to the year with notable wins over Hantuchova, Pavlyuchenkova, and  Shvedova. She hits the ball with power and she's aggressive from the backcourt. She's clearly moving in the right direction and tonight is another opportunity for her  to shine. There's no reason why Tsurenko can't be the player that Kvitova has become in the next couple of years.

 

Another youngster to keep an eye on is American Mallory Burdette. Like Tsurenko she also came through qualifying for this tournament, and her recent form suggests she  has a lot going for her. Her service stats are impeccable, with very few double faults, and few break point opportunities offered.

 

One tennis rule of thumb that is generally accepted is not to oppose Americans in America; there's something about the US crowd, they really know how to get behind  their players. Kirilenko will be a very tough test, but with the home support, Burdette's rising star, and Kirilenko's poor record at this tournament (she's only gone  past the third Round twice), Burdette can do enough here to win the match or at least cover the Handicap of +4.5.

 

The Cirstea v Radwanska match will be a big hitting aggressor versus an elegant, tricky counter-puncher. In their last two meetings the total has gone over both times.  Cirstea's powerful serve will win her cheap points, and with her glorious forehand that she frequently unleashes with devastating effect, she can keep Radwanska pegged  back on the baseline.

 

Last year was a stellar one for Radwanska as she made her first ever Grand Slam final. Cirstea on the other hand has not done anything of note since she made the  quarter-finals of the French back in 2009. Nevertheless she is a solid performer, and while her ranking has slid since then she looks to be getting her form back.

 

Having played each other many times these two know each other's games very well. It will be an amicable affair and most likely closer than the odds suggest. +6.5 Games  for Cirstea and Over 17.5 is the play here for me.

 

Recommended Bets

Lesya Tsurenko +5.5 Games vs Petra Kvitova

Mallory Burdette +4.5 Games vs Maria Kirilenko

Sorana Cirstea +6.5 Games vs Agnieszka Radwanska

Over 17.5 Games - Sorana Cirstea vs Agnieszka Radwanska

 

Bet HERE

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