WTA Carlsbad – Saturday Preview

Ana Ivanovic vs. Shuai Peng

Former World No. 1 Ana Ivanovic of Serbia will take on Shuai Peng of China in the quarterfinal of the 2011 Mercury Insurance Open. Ivanovic has found some form after struggling a lot in the early part of this season. Similarly, Peng has been playing well of late. Thus, we can expect an exciting battle between the 2 players.

In an interesting encounter, fifth-seed Ana Ivanovic of Serbia will take on fourth-seed Shuai Peng of China to secure her berth in the semi-final of the 2011 Mercury Insurance Open. This will be a third meeting between the two and Ivanovic leads the head-to-head with a 2-0. Last time they met in 2007 in Amelia Island, where Ivanovic rallied past Peng in three gruelling sets. Ivanovic, who has 10 titles to her name, struggled a lot in the early part of this season. The Serbian has a poor 15-13 win-loss record this year. Ivanovic lost in the first round at Aussie Open, but managed to reach quarters at Pattaya City and Indian Wells. Once again, she disappointed her fans by losing in the first round at Roland Garros. The Serbian made good progress on grass, as she reached semi-final at Birmingham, but could not move beyond the third round at Wimbledon.

Ivanovic’s opponent made a great start this year, as she reached the semis at Auckland and then fourth round at Aussie Open. The surging Chinese also reached the quarters at Pattaya city and Indian Wells, but vowed out in the second-round at Roland Garros. Like Ivanovic, Peng also made good progress at grass by reaching the semis at Birmingham and also reached the fourth round at Wimbledon, where she lost to runner-up Maria Sharapova.

Well, both players look at par with each other – amidst present scenario. Thus, we can expect an enthralling battle between the 2.

Vera Zvonareva vs. Sabine Lisicki

Top-seed Vera Zvonareva of Russia will take on rising German star Sabine Lisicki to secure her berth in the semi-final of the 2011 Mercury Insurance Open. Zvonareva is favourite in this battle.

Chasing her third WTA title of the season, Russian Vera Zvonareva will take on World No. 25 Sabine Lisicki of Germany in the quarterfinal of the 2011 Mercury Insurance Open, a WTA Premier Event, being played here San Diego.

Zvonareva, the top-seeded in this tournament, was trailing at 2-3 against her fellow Russian when she brought in her A-game and beat Vera Dushevina to set up this clash with Lisicki. After the match, the Russian quoted, "I started off a little bit slow with some ups and downs, but then I really picked it up and it was a little bit better, a little bit cleaner than my previous match." She further added that "I played well on key points - there were a few games where she came back from 15-40, but every time I was able to keep on top of her." The Russian has a 37-12 win-loss record this year.

On the other hand, Sabine Lisicki earned a comprehensive victory over Coco Vandeweghe with a 6-4 6-3 scoreline. The German has a very good 36-13 win-loss record this year and she has also clinched a WTA title in 2011. In fact, Lisicki has now won 17 of her last 19 matches.

In head-to-head, Zvonareva leads with a 2-0. Last time they met in the second-round at Roland Garros where the Russian rallied past the German in 3 sets. Obviously, Zvonareva looks favourite on papers, but Lisicki can certainly surprise the Russian with her newly found form.