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Maria Sharapova vs Alexandra Panova Preview – Australian Open 2015 Round 2

Posted: Jan 20, 2015

Brisbane International champion Maria Sharapova maintained her undefeated streak in 2015 with a quick start to the Australian Open on Monday evening. Following her first round win, Sharapova will now meet fellow Russian Alexandra Panova to determine who will arrive in the third round of the tournament. This is the first time that the two Russians will cross paths on the professional tour.

Watch the match live here: Sharapova v Panova

Against Croatia’s Petra Martic, Sharapova dropped only five games to ease her way into the second round. She struck 5 aces, won 73% of her first service points and hit 26 winners to close out the match 6-4, 6-1 in I hour and 26 minutes. Given her recent victories, Sharapova cannot deny that this is a fantastic start to her year.

“I’m in a much more comfortable situation than I was last year,” Sharapova admitted. “My goal last year at this time was just to play as many matches as I could to get a good feeling to see where my shoulder was, where I was physically, how I would cope with playing a lot of matches.

“It was definitely great to get a title in last week. I don’t think I’ve done that in my career, winning a title to begin the year. That was nice. But when you come here, everything is new and fresh – of course, it’s a nice feeling to have that victory, but you have to start from scratch.”

Her opponent, Alexandra Panova, reached the second round with a straight sets win over Romania’s Sorana Cirstea. She even managed to hit a bagel second set to close out the match in 1 hour and 7 minutes.

Although this is the first time that Sharapova and Panova will meet on the professional tour, it is not a contest that requires much analysis to offer a prediction. The five-time Grand Slam champion is far more experienced than her opponent and will likely cruise into the third round in Melbourne.

Prediction: Maria Sharapova in Straight Sets

Eugenie Bouchard vs Kiki Bertens Preview – Australian Open 2015 Round 2

Posted: Jan 20, 2015

Following up on her strong run to the semi-final stage of the event last season, Eugenie Bouchard kicked off her 2015 campaign in promising fashion and needed just a pair of sets to advance to the second round of the Australian Open. She will next encounter Kiki Bertens, whom she has never faced previously on the professional circuit.

Watch the match live here: Bouchard v Bertens

In her opening match, Bouchard needed 1 hour and 18 minutes to dispatch Germany’s Anna-Lena Friedsam 6-2, 6-4. She struck 3 aces, won 72% of her first service points and hit 20 winners to reach the second round of the tournament. While the score may not show it, the two ladies played several remarkable points that covered the entire court.

“The Genie Army started here last year, I’m happy they are still alive and strong,” Bouchard said. “The first match of a Grand Slam is never easy. I’m happy to get through,” she said. “I’m so happy to be back in Melbourne. The support here is crazy.”

“I was happy to start strong,” said Bouchard after the match. “Conditions were tough; it was a bit windy and she’s a good player. I was happy to stay solid, but there are still a lot of things to improve.”

Her opponent, Kiki Bertens of the Netherlands, defeated Australian Daria Gavrilova 7-5 (10-8), 5-7, 6-2 to reach the second round of the tournament. Bertens hit 3 aces, won 57% of her first service points and managed 31 winners to secure the much needed win to set up her encounter with Bouchard.

This marks the first time that Bouchard and Bertens will meet on the professional tour and will likely serve as another straightforward contest for the Canadian youngster. She appears determined and motivated to blossom at the season-opening Grand Slam event.

Prediction: Eugenie Bouchard in Straight Sets

Tomas Berdych vs Jurgen Melzer Preview – Australian Open 2015 Round 2

Posted: Jan 20, 2015

After meeting in the third round of the Australian Open back in 2013, Tomas Berdych and Jurgen Melzer will cross paths at the Happy Slam once again, this time in the second round of the tournament. This will mark their sixth overall encounter on the tour, with Berdych leading the head-to-head series 3-2.

Watch the match live here: Berdych v Melzer

After reaching the final in Doha last week, Berdych took to court in Melbourne with an apparent confidence in his shotmaking that kept Alejandro Falla out of his element for the entire duration of the contest. Berdych hit 7 aces, won 80% of his first service points and 32 winners to close out the contest 6-3, 7-6(1), 6-3 in 1 hour and 54 minutes.

“I think it was a good test for me for the first round. I’m glad to handle it the way I did. You know, even I drop some games of my serve, then I was able to find it right away back, you know, bring the breaks up again, winning the tiebreak. So, yeah, I think for the occasion and the circumstances, it was a very good match today.”

Berdych also reiterated that he is certainly confident with his game after strong showings in Doha last week.

“There is a confidence in my game. I mean, I had a great week in Doha. Played very good matches there. And then just took the time to make the transition from time difference and stuff, use the time here for preparation. Everything went well. Everything was good. I’m really happy with the way, you know, it’s been last couple of days. Feeling good on the court.”

Next for Berdych is Jurgen Melzer, who defeated Victor Estrella Burgo in straight sets to reach the second round of the tournament. The Austrian fired 10 aces, won 81% of his first service points and hit 10 winners to close out the match 6-1, 6-4, 6-2.

This marks the sixth time that Berdych and Melzer will meet on the professional tour, with Berdych leading the series 3-2. Given their last meeting took pace at the Australian Open two years ago, there is a clear blueprint as to how the Czech No. 1 can steer his way into the third round of the tournament.

Prediction: Tomas Berdych in Straight Sets

Stan Wawrinka vs Marsel Ilhan Preview – Australian Open 2015 Round 1

Posted: Jan 19, 2015

Stan Wawrinka5 Stan Wawrinka vs Marsel Ilhan Preview Australian Open 2015 Round 1

The unexpected 2014 champion Stan Wawrinka, who took the tour by storm over the past year, will begin his title defense in Melbourne with the hopes of a successful fortnight at the Happy Slam. The Swiss No. 2 and fourth seed at the event is scheduled to open his campaign against Marsel Ilhan, whom he has never previously faced on the professional tour.

In accordance with his 2014 trajectory to the season-opening Grand Slam, Stan Wawrinka began his season with a title defense at the Chennai Open, where he is now a three-time champion. He defeated Aljaz Bedene 6-3, 6-4 in a contest that lasted 69 minutes on Sunday afternoon. The Swiss star faced no break points and needed just one match point to close out the contest and give himself the necessary momentum heading into the Australian Open.

“I feel really happy,” said Wawrinka. “It’s tough to win tournaments on the ATP Tour. I feel good, with more confidence [and] feeling well with my game. I’m happy with my game in general, but it’s just the beginning of the season and I hope I can play well all [of] the season.”

World No. 99 Marsel Ilhan of Uzbekistan will look to play spoiler in the opening round in Melbourne when he faces the defending champion. He began his year in Brisbane, but failed to reach the maind raw of the event, falling in the third round of the qualifiers against Marius Copil.

This is set to be the first time that Wawrinka and Ilhan will cross paths on the tour, and is not a particularly challenging contest for Wawrinka. While anyone is capable of surprising a targeted champion, this is unlikely to be the case here. Wawrinka looked to be in-form and was playing with relative ease in India, and will have likely focused on intense preparation over the past couple of weeks.

Prediction: Stan Wawrinka in Straight Sets

Novak Djokovic vs Aljaz Bedene Preview – Australian Open 2015 Round 1

Posted: Jan 19, 2015

Djokovic ATP Tennis Novak Djokovic vs Aljaz Bedene Preview Australian Open 2015 Round 1

Following a less-than-stellar start to his 2015 season, it appears that a flu may hamper world No. 1 Novak Djokovic’s start at the Australian Open. Djokovic is scheduled to face qualifier Aljaz Bedene, whom he has never faced previously on the professional tour.

This issue with the flu caused Djokovic to cancel a training session on the eve of the Aussie Open, which only served to worry pundits and adoring fans. The Serbian had withdrawn from the final of the Mubadala World Tennis Championships with an illness but claims to be better now and prepared for the task at hand.

“I had a tough couple of days, it’s all behind me now,” Djokovic said on Sunday. “It was a little bit of a cold, and flu, stomach … maybe carried that from the Middle East, but now it’s passed.”

World No. 116 Aljaz Bedene earned three wins last week to qualify for the Australian Open where he will now face the former champion and top seed at the event in his opening main draw match-up.

“I don’t know much,” Djokovic said of his upcoming opponent. “Honestly I know he’s from Slovenia. I watched him play a little bit in Chennai, I think semifinals. I’ve seen he’s a baseline player. Good, solid, two-handed backhand. Obviously he’s going to be very motivated to perform well. If we get to play on center court, I’m sure it’s going to be a unique experience for him. He’s got nothing to lose.”

This marks the first time that these two competitors will cross paths on the professional tour and will certainly be a relatively straightforward affair for Djokovic.

Prediction: Novak Djokovic in Straight Sets

Sloane Stephens vs Victoria Azarenka Preview – Australian Open 2015 Round 1

Posted: Jan 19, 2015

For the third consecutive year on the tour, Victoria Azarenka and Sloane Stephens will cross paths at the season-opening Grand Slam tournament. It is the only time of year that the two competitors meet on circuit and has always brought about Stephens’ exit from the tournament. Azarenka leads the head-to-head series 3-0. However, while their first meeting was in the semi-final stage of the event, and their second was in the fourth round, their respective drops in the rankings means they will meet in the opening round of the tournament this season.

Watch the match live here: Azarenka vs Stephens

After taking part in a tempestuous 2014 season on the tour, Victoria Azarenka hoped for a brighter start to 2015, but was awarded with a premature exit from the Brisbane International instead. The defending champion, who spent most of last season on the sidelines, lost to Karolina Pliskova 4-6, 7-6(7), 6-4 after leading by a set.

However, she told Tennis.com that she was prepared to regain her ranking position this season.

“For me, in my mind, I skipped the whole season,” she said. “I was never healthy, I was never prepared. I was never training full time the way I wanted to train. I wasn’t … mentally there. … But I am prepared to be ready again.”

The Belarusian will look to set herself on the path to redemption with a strong start against Sloane Stephens, the American whom she has never lost to previously. Stephens had a slightly better start to her season, as she defeated Sílvia Soler-Espinosa before losing to Lauren Davis in the second round of the ASB Classic.

This marks the third consecutive time that these two competitors will meet on the professional tour – also the third time at the Australian Open. Azarenka leads the head-to-head series 2-0 and, with some dedication and confidence, will be able to stay undefeated against the young, flaky American.

Prediction: Victoria Azarenka in Three Sets

Kei Nishikori vs Nicolas Almagro Preview – Australian Open 2015 Round 1

Posted: Jan 19, 2015

Kei Nishikori9 Kei Nishikori vs Nicolas Almagro Preview Australian Open 2015 Round 1

For the first time in nearly two years, Kei Nishikori and Nicolas Almagro will cross paths on the professional tour, this time to determine who will advance to the second round of the tournament. The pair split their two previous meetings on the ATP World Tour and will now play the rubber match on a much grander stage. Check out the Nishikori v Almagro Head to Head.

Watch the match live here: Nishikori v Almagro

The Japanese No. 1 began his season with high hopes and looked promising during the opening week of the year. At the Brisbane International, Nishikori defeated Steve Johnson and Bernard Tomic to reach the semi-final round of the tournament. However, he would soon fall to Canada’s Milos Raonic in a razor-thin match that ended 7-6(4), 6-7(4), 6-7(4).

Unlike his upcoming opponent, Spain’s Nicolas Almagro lost his only professional match of the year so far. In Sydney, the recently injury-prone Almagro lost in straight sets to Uruguay’s Pablo Cuevas 6-7(5), 4-6. He looked lethargic and rusty from his lengthy spell on the sidelines.

This marks the third time these two competitors will meet on the professional tour, with the series tied at 1-1. Their first meeting took place in the quarter-final stage of Kuala Lumpar in 2011, which Nishikori emerged victorious in. Their second meeting took place in the in the Tokyo Open, which Almagro won in three sets. While the series may appear close, they are currently on completely different career trajectories. With that in mind, there is little doubt that Nishikori will emerge victorious in this third encounter.

Prediction: Kei Nishikori in Straight Sets

Serena Williams vs Alison Van Uytvanck Preview – Australian Open 2015 Round 1

Posted: Jan 19, 2015

The top seed of the 2015 Australian Open Serena Williams will commence her season on the tour with an opening round appearance at the Grand Slam event she has not won since 2010. The American will open her campaign against No. 106 ranked Belgian Alison Van Uytvanck. This marks the first time the two competitors cross paths on the professional tour, and will likely be a straightforward affair for the 18-time Grand Slam champion.

While she has not taken part in a professional match before arriving in Melbourne, Serena Williams already has people questioning her preparedness ahead of the tournament. Williams, who chose to play Hopman Cup instead of the Brisbane International, began her week with a startling loss to Canada’s Eugenie Bouchard. The 20-year-old thrashed Serena 6-2, 6-1 in exactly 50 minutes.

When asked what was wrong, Williams was unable to pinpoint the issue.

“It’s weird. I can’t get my body to move. I feel like I’ve got no energy. It’s a little frustrating because I know I can play two thousand times better.”

While her duration at the Hopman Cup was frustrating, Williams will likely be focused on performing well in Australia after her previous blunder. Thankfully for Williams, her opening round obstacle should not be too difficult.

Belgium’s Alison Van Uytvanck does not seem to present much of a challenge for the dominant Williams. 2014 marked her first Top 100 season and has been to the second round of the Wimbledon Championships. Her lone professional title is the WTA 125k event in Taipei back in 2013.

This marks the first time that these two competitors will meet on the professional tour and does not seem like a match that warrant much consideration before offering a prediction. Barring any bizarre performances from the American, she should cruise into the second round of the tournament with reliable ease.

Venus Williams vs Maria Teresa Torro-Flor Preview – Australian Open 2015 Round 1

Posted: Jan 19, 2015

Venus Williams7 Venus Williams vs Maria Teresa Torro Flor Preview Australian Open 2015 Round 1

For the first time in quite a while, former world No. 1 Venus Williams will go into a Grand Slam event riding some significant momentum. Following her title victory in Auckland, Williams will look to follow up with a successful fortnight in Melbourne, starting with her second ever meeting against Maria Teresa Torro-Flor. Their first meeting took place in the opening round of last year’s Wimbledon Championships, which Williams won to take a 1-0 lead in the head-to-head series.

Watch the match live here: Williams v Torro-Flor

Following her impressive return to form in 2014, Venus Williams picked up where she left off and captured her first title of the season at the ASB Classic in Auckland. She defeated Nara, Vesnina, Davis, and capped it off with a three-set thriller against Caroline Wozniacki to lift her 46th career title. Given her undefeated run this season, Williams will be keen to keep that streak alive and perform at the Happy Slam.

World No. 88 Maria Teresa Torro-Flor has only played one professional match this season, as she lost to Bojana Jovanovski 6-2 6-7 (4) 6-3 in the opening round of the Shenzhen Open. The Spaniard will now be dealt the difficult task of toppling the former Grand Slam champion and future Hall of Famer.

The one-time Australian Open finalist will look to reach the second week of the event for the first time in four years, but will first have to deal with the obstacles in front of her, starting with Torro-Flor. She leads the series 1-0 and is more than capable of doubling that lead.

Prediction: Venus Williams in Three Sets

David Ferrer vs Thomaz Bellucci Preview – Australian Open 2015 Round 1

Posted: Jan 19, 2015

David Ferrer4 David Ferrer vs Thomaz Bellucci Preview Australian Open 2015 Round 1

Crowned champion in Doha, David Ferrer will be primed to impress at this year’s Australian Open. The Spaniard, who is a two-time semi-finalist in Melbourne, will begin his run against Brazil’s Thomaz Bellucci, whom he faced on six previous occasions. Ferrer leads the head-to-head series 5-1 and will look to maintain that stranglehold over their rivalry this week.

Watch the match live here: Ferrer v Bellucci

Following an 11-month dry spell, David Ferrer kicked off his 2-15 season in sublime fashion with a title win at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open. The Spaniard, who had not won a title since Buenos Aires last February, defeated Tomas Berdych 6-4, 7-5 in 1 hour and 29 minutes. Now, his 22nd ATP World Tour title, he will prepare to make a deep run at the Happy Slam.

“I’m very happy,” said Ferrer. “I put in hard work this preseason. It’s special winning this tournament. I was ready to play tonight’s match against Berdych – a Top 10 player.”

World No. 62 Thomaz Bellucci has only played one professional match this season. His lone outing took place against eventual tournament champion Jiri Vesely in Auckland. The left-hander will now look to overcome that loss with a staggering upset win over Ferrer.

This marks the seventh time these two competitors meet on the professional tour, with Ferrer leading the head-to-head series 5-1. The Spaniard has also won the last three consecutive meetings dating back to 2012, with the only loss coming on clay in Monte Carlo. Ferrer also happens to be 2-0 against Bellucci on hard courts and has never lost a set to the Brazilian on that surface. Given those lopsided stats, there is little doubt that Ferrer will excel in his opening match at the Australian Open.

Prediction: David Ferrer in Straight Sets

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