Tiger Woods inspired Maria Sharapova’s brand strategy, reveals agent Max Eisenbud on Andy Roddick’s "Served" podcast

Pliskova took three sets to beat Lesia Tsurenko in the first round, while Sevastova needed two to get past Shuai Zhang. Pliskova is the more powerful player, while Sevastova is the smoother hitter. As usual, the match will reside mostly on Pliskova’s racquet, and as usual with her, it’s hard to say what that’s going to mean. These two have split their previous two meetings.

Winner: Pliskova

Gael Monfils vs. Gilles Simon

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These two countryman like to play long matches—sometimes perversely long matches—against each other; Simon won five-setters over Monfils at the Australian Open in 2013 and Wimbledon in 2015. He’s also 6-2 in their head to head overall, but Monfils won their last meeting in straights. They can only get so perverse with their shot selection over the course of three sets, right?

Winner: Simon

Maria Sharapova vs. Eugenie Bouchard

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All eyes will be on the first match of the night session. Once upon a time, Bouchard looked up to Sharapova as a career role model; now she says she’s looks at her as a “cheater” who shouldn’t be allowed back in the game. Bouchard has certainly made this one interesting with her words, but can she do the same with her racquet? Sharapova is 4-0 against her.

Winner: Sharapova

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