Mandatory Minute: Madrid, May 8
Sharapova tees off on a backhand in Tuesday's first match.
Tuesday's Play (Second round)
| (1) Azarenka d. Hlavackova, 6-3, 7-6 (2) | —Richard Pagliaro's Racquet Reaction |
| (2) Sharapova d. Zakopalova, 6-4, 6-3 | |
| (6) Wozniacki d. Barthel, 6-4, 7-6 (2) | |
| (9) S. Williams d. Pavlyuchenkova, 6-2, 6-1 | |
| (13) Ivanovic d. Petrova, 7-5, 6-1 | |
| Lepchenko d. Peer, 7-6 (2), 6-4 | |
| Medina Garrigues d. Cirstea, 6-1, 3-6, 7-5 | |
| Safarova d. Suarez Navarro, 6-3, 6-4 |
Wednesday's Order of Play (Second round, *Third round)
| (4) Radwanska v. Errani [Manolo Santana] |
—It’s the perfect upset storm: Errani is coming off her third consecutive clay-court title in Budapest and has won 16 straight clay-court matches, the longest women’s wining streak on dirt since Justine Henin won 27 in a row between 2004 and 2005. But the third-ranked Radwanska has been invincible against opponents not named Azarenka (all five of her losses have come to Vika) and Errani is 0-26 vs. Top 10 opponents. The Pick: Radwanska |
| *(1) Azarenka v. Ivanovic [Manolo Santana] |
—This clash between the current and former world No. 1s favors Azarenka, the 2011 Madrid finalist, who is more balanced off both wings has won four titles in six tournaments this season. Former French Open champion Ivanovic won her last clay-court meeting with Azarenka, and if she can manage her nerve and serve, she’s capable of pulling off the upset. The Pick: Ivanovic |
| *(8) Li v. (12) Kerber [Arantxa Sanchez Vicario] |
—The reigning Roland Garros champion has beaten Kerber in three of their four meetings, but this marks their first face-off on clay. If she’s on, Li can reach greater heights, but Kerber has been the more consistent player this year, winning nine of her last 10 matches. The Pick: Kerber |
| (3) Kvitova v. Hradecka [Stadium 3] |
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| Wickmayer v. Vinci [Court 4] |
—Wickmayer possesses more power, which should help her in the Madrid altitude, however Vinci owns more variety and will use it to disrupt the 32nd-ranked Belgian. They’ve split four career meetings, but Vinci is more comfortable on clay and should prevail. The Pick: Vinci |
| *(5) Stosur v. Cetkovska [Court 4] | |
| (16) Kirilenko v. Makarova [Court 6] |
TV Schedule
7:00 am - 3:00 pm: Madrid (M), Early rounds (Tennis Channel, Live)
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm: Belgrade (M), Final (Tennis Channel, Repeat)
6:00 pm - 2:00 am: Madrid (M), Early rounds (Tennis Channel, Repeat)
Azarenka and Ivanovic first met on clay, at the 2009 French Open. Azarenka stunned the defending champion in straight sets, 6-2, 6-3.
