WTA Brisbane International: Three Interesting Second Round Match-Ups

Nadia Petrova, Alisa Kleybanova and Alexandra Dulgheru all seeded in this tournament, all crashed out today, losing to Kvitova, Peers and Petkovic, respectively.  And among today's first round matches, Pavlyuchenkova (#21) was tested by fellow Russian Kudryavtseva (#60) in three sets.  For tomorrow's matches, I chose these match-ups as the most interesting to watch -

# 3 Lucie Safarova (CZE) (#33) vs. Shahar Peer (ISR) (#13)

Both are very competent players, although now, Peer is ranked near the top 10 and really needs this title to really boost her entry into the Top 10.  Her match with Lucie will test now how ready she is very early this year to start that Top 10 campaign of hers.  The match could go both ways since Lucie also has a wealth of experience under her belt, and her win today over Amanmuradova is a good tune up to play a higher-ranked player.  Also, she has to defend her QF points, the round she reached last year, falling to eventual champion, Victoria Azarenka.  However, for this match, I want to see Peer win.  Peer did not compete here last year.

# 2 Samantha Stosur (AUS) (#6) vs. Jarmila Groth (AUS) (#42)

Last year's darling, Stosur starts the year as the #1 seed in an Australian tournament.  Talk about pressure!  Anyhow, her second round match promises to be an exciting one for Australia, as their #1 and #2 players duel it out on the center court.  In my World Cup Women's Tennis Championshio 2010 (a fantasy game), Australia ranked third among four teams in Group D, losing to both Italy and Slovakia.  Their third member was Anastasia Rodionova.  Both were comprehensive in their matches today, and I can see how Groth can give Stosur some problems but I should see Stosur make it into the quarterfinals.

#1 Jelena Dokic (AUS) (#138) vs. Andrea Petkovic (GER) (#32)

I know Andrea as a very good player and her ranking now shows how much she has improved, but this is the match I want to see later today.  And I want to see Dokic win.  She was unfortunate in the draw in '09 and '10, having to play Top 10 players (Mauresmo and Ivanovic, respectively), but this year, the draw was kinder, and she played someone (Pivovarova) just about her present ranking.  Anyhow, she is a former #4 player and she did reach the quarters of the Aussie Open a few years back, so a renaissance from this woman is always a possibility.  Can it happen here?  Oh well, we'll have to take it one round at a time.