The Overrule: WTA Marbella

By Sports Magician

The Overrule was the victim of a bad stroke of luck yesterday when our each-way selection on Victoria Azarenka went astray. We backed Azarenka at 5.0 for the title at the start of the tournament, and with Kim Clijsters exiting the tournament early; Azarenka went into yesterday’s action as the strong favourite to win the tournament. Leading 4-0 in her quarter-final with Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez, Azarenka suffered an injury to her left thigh that forced her to retire from the match and tournament. I honestly can’t recall a situation where a player has advanced to the next round having not won a single game in the match, but that’s the situation that presented itself yesterday.

The two semi-finals will be battles of Spain and Italy, as Martinez Sanchez meets fellow Spaniard Carla Suarez Navarro, while Flavia Pennetta meets Italian Fed Cup teammate Sara Errani. Pennetta is the stand out player left in the tournament (looks wise as well as ability wise, as it happens) and will fancy her chances of winning the event now that Clijsters and Azarenka are out of the picture. Pennetta has won all three of her matches in Marbella in straight sets and is full of confidence having won the doubles title in Miami with Gisela Dulko last weekend. Pennetta has a winning head to head record with both Errani and Martinez Sanchez, while her record with Suarez Navarro stands at 1-1. The Overrule will be backing Flavia to claim the ninth title of her career this weekend.

PICK: 4*FLAVIA PENNETTA WIN MARBELLA @ 2.2 Bet365

Sports Magician