The Mutua Madrid Open is in full swing as it kicked off this weekend. Today, in this two writer roundtable, we discuss the draw in this WTA Premier Mandatory.
1. Who is the favorite for the title? Why?
Noel Alberto: I believe that Maria Sharapova should still be favorite for the title here in Madrid. The "Queen of Clay" suffered a shock loss to Angelique Kerber in Stuttgart, but she should be able to bounce back with a strong showing here.
Pedro Cunha: In my opinion the favourite for the title is Romania's number one, Simona Halep. She has the mors wins this year; she won 27 matches and has only lost four. She started her clay-court season with the semifinals in Stuttgart. Last year she was finalist here and at the French Open so I guess she could win this.
2. Who is the dark horse for the title? Why?
N.A: My dark horse for the title is the Dane Caroline Wozniacki. She is coming off of a surprising finals appearance in Stuttgart so a deep run here would not be surprising. Sharapova is in her half, but we know that the Dane can hang with her.
P.C: Karolina Pliskova. She's in the best form of her career and she's already won a title in Prague. This year she's been impressive.
3. Which seeded player has the toughest draw? Why?
N.A: The player with the toughest draw is Ana Ivanovic. A possible second round meeting against Elina Svitolina is not what the struggling Serb needed as the Ukrainian is currently in-form.
P.C: Venus Williams
4. What first round matchup intrigues you the most? Why?
N.A: Venus Williams - Victoria Azarenka is the matchup that intrigues me the most. It's a battle between two former number ones and Grand Slam champions in the first round. You do not see that often. Williams has rejuvinated her career after being diagnosed with Sjorgen's while Azarenka is trying to rebound after in injury-plauged 2014.
P.C: Venus Williams vs. Victoria Azarenka . This match will definitly be a thriller. A clash between two former world number ones. Azarenka won their last meeting but Venus leads their head-to-head 4-1. They have never met each other on clay before.
5. Does Serena Williams remain undefeated at the end of this tournament? Why?
N.A: No I do not think Serena WIlliams remains undefeated at the end of this tournament. I think she falls in the semifinals to Caroline Wozniacki.
P.C: I think Serena will be defeated in the finals by Maria Sharapova. Sharapova will exact revenge on her from the 2013 final.
6. How far does Sharapova make it? Why?
N.A: I think Sharapova claims the Madrid title once again because after a poor showing in Stuttgart, she should be extra motivated to win and defend her points here.
P.C: Sharapova will claim the title again. This year she has already lost to Serena but I think that on clay, things will be different.
7. Does Genie Bouchard make it out of the first round? Why?
N.A: I believe Bouchard does make it out of the first round but gets no further than into the third round. She's been playing poorly all season and will continue in the Spanish capital.
P.C: No. Bouchard has not won a match since the third round of Indian Wells. Strycova is not bad as it seems. This season, she reached the semifinals at Antwerp and Auckland and the Australian Open third round.
8. Which nonseed will advance the furthest? Why?
N.A: Sabine Lisicki is going to be the nonseed that will advance the furthest. Madrid is played in altitude making it play with the pace of a hard court. That should bode well for "Boom Boom Lisicki" who has had a strong showing in her recent hard court ventures.
P.C: Irina-Camelia Begu
9. Who are your finalists and winner? Why?
N.A: My finalists are Wozniacki and Sharapova. Caroline Wozniacki should ride the wave of momentum she has carried from her Stuttgart final and take it to upset Serena in the semifinals. Sharapova is my champion because as defending champion, she knows how to win in Madrid especially with pressure.
P.C: My finalists are Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams. The winner is Maria Sharapova because of the motives that I explained before.