The Overrule: WTA Charleston

By Sports Magician

CHARLESTON

Caroline Wozniacki is the top seed for the event on the American green clay due to Serena Williams' withdrawal. Maria Sharapova, Dominika Cibulkova and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova are also absentees due to injury from the original entry list. Wozniacki must be starting to feel the effects of a tough few weeks at Indian Wells, Miami and Vedra Beach. Last week the Overrule touched on the fact that the young Dane has already played a lot of tennis this season and must be wary of burning herself out while there are still three Grand Slams to be won this year.

On form Wozniacki is a logical choice to go one better in Charleston, where she lost out in last year’s final to Sabine Lisicki – who won’t be able to defend her title due to injury. Victoria Azarenka also features in the draw, but it remains to be seen whether she will compete having retired from her quarter-final match in Marbella last week. And if she does take part, just how fit will she be to stand a chance of winning what would be her first clay court title? Vera Zvonareva has a nice early draw and the Russian can take advantage if indeed Wozniacki is fatigued and Azarenka is not 100% healthy.

In the bottom half of the draw, Jelena Jankovic will be very pleased to see her path to the final. The Serbian has a comfortable route to the semi-finals where she might meet Marion Bartoli. Jankovic and Bartoli have a history of dislike for one another and a potential meeting will be sure to produce some choice words in pre and post-match press conferences. The Overrule will be counting on Zvonareva and Jankovic in Charleston this week.

PICK: 3*JELENA JANKOVIC WIN CHARLESTON @ 3.75 (SKYBET)

PICK: 1.5*(EACH-WAY) VERA ZVONAREVA WIN CHARLESTON (1/2 ODDS 1-2 PLACES) @ 11.00 (BETFRED)

Sports Magician