Tennis Picks 2014 (February 19th)

After a pretty successful Monday, Tuesday proved to be more of a mixed bag with a couple of the picks getting close, but not quite getting over the line in to the winner's enclosure. Those could have made it a strong day, but you can't win them all and it was still a positive enough start to the week with the hope that John Isner can comfortably come through his First Round match that is yet to be played at the time of writing.

With a little more luck, this week could still go the same way as last week and continue the upward trend as we continue with a lot more tennis to be played on Wednesday.


Agnieszka Radwanska - 4.5 games v Flavia Pennetta: This should be the kind of match up that is to Agnieszka Radwanska's liking as she is playing an opponent that doesn't usually have the consistency to hit through her nor the power to make Radwanska feel uncomfortable on the court.

Flavia Pennetta has come through the qualifiers to make the main draw in Dubai and was a straight sets winner in the First Round, but she has also struggled in the past when coming up against Radwanska.

That includes a straight sets loss at the Hopman Cup to open this season and the last four matches between the players have not been competitive. I think this one will be a little closer, but Radwanska should be able to frustrate her opponent and extract the errors that will help her come through with a 63, 64 win.


Caroline Wozniacki - 3.5 games v Annika Beck: Caroline Wozniacki would have covered the spread yesterday if she had taken one of the first three match points that came her way, but I was still very impressed with the way the Dane recovered from one set down to beat Sabine Lisicki fairly comfortably.

She was serving well and showed some power off the ground and I think that will give her a good chance to beat Annika Beck in this Second Round match.

As well as Beck did herself to recover from a set down to beat Samantha Stosur in the last Round, she was helped massively by the complete drop in form during the second set from the Australian and I think Wozniacki is going to show more consistency than Stosur did.

Wozniacki should be able to force errors from the Beck game and as long as she continues serving as she was on Tuesday, she should be able to come through 64, 63.


Venus Williams v Ana Ivanovic: I think I have to have a small interest in Venus Williams to win this Second Round match against Ana Ivanovic despite the latter finding a three set win over the former World Number 1 in the Final at Auckland earlier this season.

As well as Ivanovic has played at times this season, she has sometimes found it tough to back up big wins and was forced to dig very deep in beating Angelique Kerber on Tuesday after saving match points.

The day off between her match may give Venus Williams the edge when it comes to fitness and fatigue and she has played well at moments through 2014, even if the consistency has fallen off. That is one element that puts me off backing Williams for more than the minimum stake, but I do think the underdog has enough bite to take a chunk out of Ivanovic in the match.

It will likely go to three sets, but Venus Williams may have a little more in the tank in this match and come through.


Lucie Safarova + 3.5 games v Jelena Jankovic: Over the last ten days, Lucie Safarova has really picked up her serving and that could give her a chance to knock off Jelena Jankovic in this match, although I am just more interested in her making it a competitive match.

With the serving in a place it is, this match has the hallmarks of a three setter and their past meetings have an indication that they are a little more closely matched.

I think Jankovic's game is a little more solid as she relies more on her defence than Safarova who can also have a few issues with fatigue, but the power is more likely to come from the Czech side of the net and that should pose some problems itself.

The one aspect of the WTA that can frustrate is when players seemingly collapse within sets and that is a concern for Safarova if she is beaten 62 in one set, but I think she is capable of at least taking one herself and that should be enough to keep this a competitive match.


Feliciano Lopez - 3.5 games v Adrian Mannarino: He had to come from a set behind to beat Sam Querrey in the First Round, but that may have opened the door for Feliciano Lopez to go deep in to the tournament at Delray Beach.

The warmer conditions during the day should also help Lopez with the big serve and the ability to close points out at the net and I think the pressure will eventually tell on his opponent Adrian Mannarino.

I am not always impressed with Lopez' ability to return serve as the slice isn't always effective, but the scoreboard pressure coupled with the fact that Mannarino can lose concentration means I believe the Spaniard will find a way to earn the break points and close this match.

The match has all the makings of a 64, 64 win for Lopez as he moves through to the Quarter Finals.


Tommy Haas - 3.5 games v Steve Johnson: Tommy Haas disposed of one American in the First Round, but I expect a lot more competition for him in this match after losing just three games in the win over Wayne Odesnik.

This time he faces Steve Johnson who won a Challenger in Dallas a couple of weeks ago and has come through the qualifiers to reach this stage of the tournament so confidence has to be in a good place.

When I have watched Johnson play, I have seen a player with decent ability, but one whose concentration is perhaps not at the level to see off someone as good as Haas. He will have some success because he does hit a heavy ball and the confidence, as I said, should be high after a run of wins behind him.

However, I do think Haas has too much know-how and will come through 64, 64.

MY PICKS: Agnieszka Radwanska - 4.5 Games @ 1.73 Pinnacle (2 Units)
Caroline Wozniacki - 3.5 Games @ 1.83 Pinnacle (2 Units)
Venus Williams @ 2.25 Pinnacle (1 Unit)
Lucie Safarova + 3.5 Games @ 2.00 Bet Fred (2 Units)
Feliciano Lopez - 3.5 Games @ 2.00 Paddy Power (2 Units)
Tommy Haas - 3.5 Games @ 1.85 Pinnacle (2 Units)