Tennis Friday - Abrams Picks Women’s Quarterfinals Matches at Nature Valley Classic, Martic, Barty; Mallorca Open, Garcia, Bencic, Kenin
NATURE VALLEY CLASSIC
Birmingham, Great Britain
Julia Goerges over Yulia Putintseva
Okay, I know Yulia Putintseva beat Naomi Osaka in straight sets, but she’s played German Julia Goerges three times and has yet to take a set off of her. Just to make you feel better if you want to place a bet on Goerges, she’s ranked No. 19 and Putintseva is No. 43.
Petra Martic over Jelena Ostapenko
I’m thrilled for Ostapenko that she’s won two straight matches and made the quarters here. She hasn’t done that since, oh, gee, I don’t even know when. The mini-streak ends now. Martic is playing better, and she should get a boost from the grass. But . . . maybe Ostapenko is on a two match win streak because she’s on grass . . .
Barbara Strycova over Kristyna Pliskova
Kristyna got a three-set win over her twin sister Karolina, who just happens to be ranked third in the world. But this is Kristyna playing Strycova, and Kristyna hasn’t taken a set from her Czech compatriot, Strycova, in the two official matches they’ve played. She’s not gonna win one here.
Ash Barty over Venus Williams
It’s been two years since Barty beat Williams in three sets in Cincinnati. Since that time she’s become a Grand Slam champion and the second-ranked women in the world. Barty is now the better player by far, and her all-court game, including her great backhand slice will make that old woman Venus bend too low to consistently hit winners. Good for Venus for winning two matches.
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MALLORCA OPEN
Mallorca, Spain
Angie Kerber over Caroline Garcia
Kerber looked pretty sharp in bidding adieu to Maria Sharapova’s comeback in straight sets. Her grass court game will take out Garcia, like the five out of seven previous times they’ve previously played.
Belinda Bencic over Amanda Anisimova
Belinda Bencic, at 22, is the old head here. But being older isn’t bad in this case. She’s got experience in big matches, and she’s got experience on grass, two things that 17-year-old Anisimova doesn’t. This will probably be a great rivalry as time goes on, but unfortunately for the American teen sensation, it doesn’t start out well for her.
Sofia Kenin over Eise Mertens
Want a good bet? Put some money down on Sofia Kenin, the 20-year-old American from Pembroke Pines, Fla., by way of Moscow. Her win over Serena Williams in Paris looms large on her confidence, and here she’s won two rounds without losing a set. Mertens is ranked No. 21, nine spots above Kenin, so Mertens be favored in this match. Which means that a bet on Kenin will pay off.