WTA Week Ahead: China In Your Hands

Yep, it’s the China Open in Beijing again, and the women kick off a day earlier than the men, so I thought I’d better mention it.

Draw here. The quarters break down as Safina-Zvonareva, Dementieva-Wozniacki, Kuznetsova-Venus, and JJ-Serena. However … who actually thinks that will be the lineup? Although that could be about the only way the WTA has left to buck all expectations.

At a quick glance, the first quarter looks the most loaded, with Pennetta, Bartoli, Kleybanova, Wickmayer, Rybarikova, Cirstea and Lisicki all kicking about. I think Dementieva’s chances of getting to the final are absolutely excellent, but she was complaining last week about feeling the effects of such a long season and so many matches. It’s a good draw for Ivanovic, if there is such an animal any more, and I’m amused at the prospect of Venus possibly having to face Pavlyuchenkova in the second round. I don’t feel an early exit for Venus here, though. And the fourth quarter offers the possibility of Azarenka-Sharapova in the second, with the winner meeting Jankovic in the third.

I give up on making predictions at this point in the season, but it looks fun. Who do you think will do well?