The Bridge Lad
Striker
As for the women:
Section 1 - You'd have to think Halep vs Mertens in the last 16. Mladenovic at home and on the clay could give Halep problems in the 3rd round but she hasn't really shown any consistent form since the last French Open. Watson could maybe beat Dodin, but that's about as good as it will get I reckon.
Section 2 - Think Bertens will beat Kerber and meet Gracia in the last 16. She is still currently playing Nuremberg and had a 3 setter today and any other surface I'd back Sabalenka to beat her, but not on clay. That's still probably one of the few better 1st round matches.
Section 3 - Muguruza vs Kuznetsova is the pick of the R1 matches for me. I didn't think Garbine would have a great tournament, but bar the first round which could have been easier, she'll be reasonably happy. Other half is wide open as seeds Vandeweghe and Rybarikova are pretty useless on clay and Bencic has hardly played since the Aussie, so maybe Siegemund can get to the L16.
Section 4 - Decent enough draw for Serena if she is at any sort of level. Goerges has gone off the boil a bit so she could well get to the last 16 although the lesser Pliskova is in decent form so that's a banana skin in itself. Can see Sharpova beating the better Pliskova and reaching the L16 (and then quarters).
Section 5 - Hopefully get to see Ostapenko vs Azarenka in the 2nd round and the winner should make the L16. Bottom section again pretty wide open as seeds Konta and Williams aren't too competent on clay. Can see Martic taking that mini section and playing Ostapenko in the L16. Not too bad a draw for Konta, but I reckon her first round match is pretty much 50/50.
Section 6 - Lots of Qs here (4) but should be decent enough for Svitolina. Good chance for Osaka to meet her in the L16.
Section 7 - Really hope to see Kvitova vs Kontaveit face off in the L32 and with Stephens so inconsistent, the winner of that should get to the L16 and IMO probably reach the SF. 5 Qs in here.
Section 8 - Kastatkina vs Kanepi is another stand out R1 match. Sakkari and Suarez-Navarro will also be dangerous, nice enough draw for Wozniack who should reach at least the L16 no problem, but a potential 4th round match Kasatkina would be interesting.
Halep vs Bertens
Muguruza vs Sharapova
Ostapenko vs Svitolina
Kvitova vs Wozniacki
I've played that pretty safe picking 6 of the top 8, there'll no doubt be a shock run or two from somewhere.
Section 1 - You'd have to think Halep vs Mertens in the last 16. Mladenovic at home and on the clay could give Halep problems in the 3rd round but she hasn't really shown any consistent form since the last French Open. Watson could maybe beat Dodin, but that's about as good as it will get I reckon.
Section 2 - Think Bertens will beat Kerber and meet Gracia in the last 16. She is still currently playing Nuremberg and had a 3 setter today and any other surface I'd back Sabalenka to beat her, but not on clay. That's still probably one of the few better 1st round matches.
Section 3 - Muguruza vs Kuznetsova is the pick of the R1 matches for me. I didn't think Garbine would have a great tournament, but bar the first round which could have been easier, she'll be reasonably happy. Other half is wide open as seeds Vandeweghe and Rybarikova are pretty useless on clay and Bencic has hardly played since the Aussie, so maybe Siegemund can get to the L16.
Section 4 - Decent enough draw for Serena if she is at any sort of level. Goerges has gone off the boil a bit so she could well get to the last 16 although the lesser Pliskova is in decent form so that's a banana skin in itself. Can see Sharpova beating the better Pliskova and reaching the L16 (and then quarters).
Section 5 - Hopefully get to see Ostapenko vs Azarenka in the 2nd round and the winner should make the L16. Bottom section again pretty wide open as seeds Konta and Williams aren't too competent on clay. Can see Martic taking that mini section and playing Ostapenko in the L16. Not too bad a draw for Konta, but I reckon her first round match is pretty much 50/50.
Section 6 - Lots of Qs here (4) but should be decent enough for Svitolina. Good chance for Osaka to meet her in the L16.
Section 7 - Really hope to see Kvitova vs Kontaveit face off in the L32 and with Stephens so inconsistent, the winner of that should get to the L16 and IMO probably reach the SF. 5 Qs in here.
Section 8 - Kastatkina vs Kanepi is another stand out R1 match. Sakkari and Suarez-Navarro will also be dangerous, nice enough draw for Wozniack who should reach at least the L16 no problem, but a potential 4th round match Kasatkina would be interesting.
Halep vs Bertens
Muguruza vs Sharapova
Ostapenko vs Svitolina
Kvitova vs Wozniacki
I've played that pretty safe picking 6 of the top 8, there'll no doubt be a shock run or two from somewhere.
