Tennis: Abrams picks quarters of the Volvo Car Open, rips Stephens and Keys for poor play, lauds Bencic, Puig, Wozniacki, Collins, Martic
WTA Volvo Car Open
Friday, April 5, 2019
Quarterfinal Round picks
Sloane Stephens vs. Madison Keys
Normally when I am not going to pick a winner of a match I’d just simply not write about it, but I had to take this opportunity to simply say the truth: Both of these players SUCK! Now I say that with all earnestness, because I don’t look at it as my job to criticize professional athletes. But when it comes to these two, who I like very much as individuals, I can’t get over the fact that they are both playing horrible tennis and find themselves in this position simply because they were able to overcome lesser players who found themselves overwhelmed by the opportunity presenting itself. Keys has played the better of the two, beating Jelena Ostapenko 7-5, 6-2. Even so, she hit long and wide so often that I stopped counting. Keys is blessed with enormous potential but often finds herself mentally overcome by matches where she double faults and gives away opportunities. But here, she’s hitting all shots out, not just serves. Stephens, one of the most likable players on the WTA Tour, vacillates between brilliance and darkness as easily and quickly as most players change their socks. Here, she has been nothing but horrible, and I have no idea which of these two Americans will play worse.
Monica Puig over Danielle Collins
I’ve mentioned in the past that I am not incredibly impressed with Danielle Collins. Here in Charleston, she’s done what she’s had to do to overcome both Madison Brengle and Aliona Bolsova Zadoinova in straight sets. She has not played inspired tennis, but you can only beat the players put in your path, and she has done that. Puig has had three compelling wins here, topping Sara Errani, Sofia Kenin, and Aryna Sabalenka, all in straight sets. Based on these three wins and the confidence these wins must have given Puig, I am predicting that the Puerto Rican will take out Collins, the 11th seed. But I will add one caveat: Collins is a very dangerous player when playing well, and if Collins brings her “A” game, Puig doesn’t have enough firepower to stop her.
Belinda Bencic over Petra Martic
Petra Martic has been an absolute pleasure to watch play this week. The Croatian has shinned through cold, wind, darkness, in addition to one day of spring-like weather. She has brought the goods into this tournament and has produced wins over entertaining American 17-year-old Amanda Anisimova, Luxembourg’s 5’11” Mandy Minella, and America’s comeback kid, Jessie Pegula, all achieved with determination and guile. But that run appears over, as Belinda Bencic seems to be firing on all cylinders. The 22-year-old from Switzerland has already captured $5 million in prize money with a 237-127 professional win/loss record, and is set to overpower Martic. One thing that would have played in Martic’s favor is the unseasonable cold that hit Charleston earlier in the week, but today should be mid-60s with a chance of rain.
Caroline Wozniacki over Maria Sakkari
Caroline Wozniacki turned pro at 14 years of age, and has been running like the Everready bunny rabbit ever since. At the ripe old age of 28, the Dane is engaged to be married, is set to hit the $35 million mark in prize money, and stands a chance to finish the year with her 650th career win. Still, she’s not done. Although she is not at her best, she is playing well enough to add this tournament title to her resume. But she’ll have to overcome Maria Sakkari, from Athens, Greece, first. This will not be easy. After a shaky first round win over lucky loser Conny Perrin, Sakkari fought to overcome both Andrea Petkovic and second-seeded Kiki Bertens. In addition, in their only meeting, Sakkari beat Wozniacki in straight sets, so the battle lines have been drawn. Sakkari hits hard, yet I think Wozniacki’s experience should mean a lot considering the conditions in Charlestown.