Agnieszka Radwanska and Genie Bouchard will be facing each other all too early at the Australian Open when they battle during second-round action on Wednesday.
The problem for Bouchard–and now for Radwanska–is that the Canadian is unseeded due to both bad play and bad luck. Bouchard slumped through a significant portion of the 2015 campaign before suffering a well-documented concussion prior to fourth-round action at the U.S. Open. She played only one match the rest of the year and it resulted in a retirement in Shenzhen. The 21-year-old tuned up for Melbourne with a pair of decent showings in Shenzhen (quarters) and Hobart (runner-up). She opened on Monday by easing past Aleksandra Krunic 6-3, 6-4.
“I wasn’t sure what to expect from myself,” Bouchard admitted. “I’ve had so much time off and experienced something I’d never experienced in my life. I’m happy that I’m able to find some kind of somewhat decent form so far, but I know I have a long road to go. My goal is really to be healthy and enjoy myself on the court, and play as well as I can. I’m just glad to be back on tour.”
A red-hot Radwanska has won three consecutive tournaments, including the year-end championship last fall. The fourth-ranked Pole triumphed in Shenzhen and extended her winning streak with a 6-2, 6-3 beatdown of Christina McHale in the Aussie Open first round.
“She’s an amazing player,” Bouchard commented. “I don’t think she’s lost in a while now, so she’s definitely going to be confident.”
Their only previous meeting came on the clay courts of Madrid in 2014, when Radwanska got the job done 7-6(3), 6-2. An inspired, nothing-t0-lose Bouchard may make this one more interesting, but she has not faced any player ranked higher than 20th since last spring. Given those circumstances, upsetting this particular opponent is too much to ask.
Pick: Radwanska in 3
[polldaddy poll=9278337]
who ya got?
Whoa a wta match? Nice. Going with aga in two but rooting for genie.
Wow, a TG first – a WTA match prediction.
I’d like to thank Myself for requesting that Ricky add the WTA page a few weeks ago. Honourable mentions go to ratcliff for her WTA interest and Ricky for adding the page.
That said, Radwanska in two is the call.
You’re welcome.
The WTA page is nice 🙂 ty hawk.
Gotta stay with Ricky on this vote. My picking nerves are shot. A temporary condition, no doubt.
nice match-up between Radwanska and Bouchard.
Yup
You never responded to my question about Simon and the Don.
Not a Genie fan, Aga in two
Think I probably agree with you V Hensley about Genie but I’m trying to keep an open mind. But I’m so relieved Aga won in straight sets 64 62!
Sleeping with the TV on – pathetic, huh…lol
Woke up just in time for the last points. This is going to cost me but I have to stay awake for a bit of Nole v Halys.
My WTA picks are doing much and I say much better.
Dasha did it. She beat Kvitty. Melbourne is un-happy hunting grounds for Petra. Everyone loves Daria Gavrilova. Go Dasha! Ozzie, Ozzie, oi, oi oi! How far can she go?
Potentially great Round 3 matches coming up for the Top Half on Day 5:
Dasha v Kiki Mladenovic (my top match pick)
Aga v Monica Puig
Yulia Putintseva v Rita Gasparyan
Anna-Lena Friedsam v US Open Runner-up Roberta Vinci
Even… Serena v dangerous #69 Daria Kasatkina might be good. The plucky 18 year old Russian, who replaced Sharapova at US Open, won matches over rising WTA stars, 28th seed – Anna Schmiedlova and Ana Konjuh. Can Kasatkina make a dent in Serena’s armor?
Day 4 (that’s today) Bottom Half Matches to watch:
Vika v Kovinic
#2 Muguruza v Flipkens
Svitolina v Osaka
Konta v Zheng (knocked out Venus)
#9 Pliskova twin v Julia Goerges
Cornet v Zhang (knocked out Halep)
#7 Kerber v Dulgheru
There’s something for everyone later today – plus Americans: King, Keys, Brengle and Lepchenko. And others scheduled that I like following: Ivanovic, Makarova, Lisicki, Jankovic and Bacsinszky,