The Western and Southern Open, commonly referred to as Cincinnati, has always been one of my favorite non-Major tournaments of the tennis year. For most of the top players, it is their last chance to make an impression to the rest of the world heading into the year's last Major, the US Open in Flushing Meadows, New York. Heading into the 2011 Western and Southern Open, there is no bigger story than the one and only Serena Williams, who is coming into Cincinnati having won two tournaments in a row, Stanford and Toronto. Before we simply chalk Serena in as the Champion of the 2011 Western and Southern Open, let's look at the draw quarter-by-quarter.
First Quarter
Otherwise known as Caroline Wozniacki's quarter of the draw, this quarter is the most intriguing of the four. While Wozniacki, the No. 1 player in the world, is the obvious favorite to advance to the semifinals, it is worth keeping your eyes on Ana Ivanovic. Once the No. 1 player in the world, Ivanovic has fallen off the map recently. However, a trip to the semifinals in Carlsbad has no doubt given her some confidence, and her draw in Cincinnati is definitely manageable, that is up until a possible third-round match against Wozniacki. While I expect Wozniacki to make it out of this quarter, watch out for Ivanovic, Wimbledon Champion Petra Kvitova, and up-and-coming German Andrea Petkovic to do well.
Second Quarter
This quarter may be the most competitive of the entire tournament. While Victoria Azarenka is the highest-seeded player in the quarter, Francesca Schiavone, Sabine Lisicki, and newly-rejuvenated Agnieszka Radwanska are lurking. Lisicki, with her offensive game and unbelievable power, is always a threat. A possible third-round match with Azarenka is very intriguing. Radwanska is definitely one of the surprises of the summer on the WTA Tour. Winning Carlsbad was a big confidence-booster, and there seems to be no reason why she cannot make a deep run in Cincinnati. Even though she will most likely face Francesca Schiavone in the third round, I like Radwanska to keep on surprising people en route to the quarterfinals in Cincinnati.
Third Quarter
This quarter is home to the hottest player on tour, Serena Williams. Playing her fifth straight tournament as a non-seeded player, Serena will have to work plenty hard to win her third tournament in a row. Her first challenge will come in the second round, when she has a chance to beat Sam Stosur, whom she dispatched en route to winning the Rogers Cup in Toronto last week. Assuming she makes it through this match, a possible third-round match-up against French Open Champion Li Na awaits. Having struggled to win consistently since her triumph in Paris, Na does not seem to have a much of a chance against Williams. However, she has the type of game to keep up with Williams, so this is a definite match to watch. Even though Williams will most likely have to beat Maria Sharapova in the quarterfinals, I do not see how Williams will not make it out of this quarter.
Fourth Quarter
Probably the most open quarter of the tournament, this quarter is sure to be the home of several upsets throughout the week. Vera Zvonareva, the No. 2 seed, is the favorite, but there is no guaranteeing that she will make it out of this quarter. Marion Bartoli is the most obvious threat. Having made it to the finals of Stanford, Bartoli has been playing very well recently and is always a threat because of her unusual strokes and experience. Even with Jelena Jankovic lurking in this quarter, I expect Bartoli to advance to the semifinals from this quarter of the draw.
Predictions:
Semifinals: Caroline Wozniacki def. Agnieska Radwanska, Serena Williams def. Marion Bartoli
Final: Serena Williams def. Carolina Wozniacki
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