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Safarova is 9-3 in h2h matches but getting there was not as easy as you might think. The matches from three years back are relevant for this one and these two players met 8 times over that period of time. Stosur won two matches (both in three sets) while Safarova won in five. Not one of them was an easy win, with the first sets being particularly interesting. 6 out of the last 8 first sets went over the 9.5 margin, with five out of those 6 finishing with 7-6 or 7-5- Safarova gad 6 overs at 9.5 margin in her 8 first sets of this season, Stosur had 7 in 9 matches and two ended with 7-6. The start support us massively and these two players have excellent serves. They were both in the Top 10 when it came to aces last season. There will not be many chances against opponent's service, that I'm sure. It is therefore to be expected that sets end with high numbers. Just like they did so far. Details

Given Azarenka's good results in Doha in the past and good start to the season at AO, she should be able to get far here. She'is keen to get back on her best level after the struggles with a foot injury. It seems she made the right choice with the new coach. Kerber is doing badly lately and given her performances, she should not get past the first round here. She is struggling with every segment of the game and cannot find rhythm. Results, form, and stability this season make Azarenka a much superior opponent. She is growing each day, while Kerber struggles. Details

Leningradka are the better team and should use this home match to win. They have invested much more in the team but started doing as expected only in the second part of the season. Making it into playoffs was the goal that is still reachable but not very likely to happen. They have been doing better than Voronez lately and the visitors don't have the quality necessary for Superliga. Voronez recorded their only win over Leningradka home. It was a very good performance on their part and a very bad one on Leningradka's part. Leningradka will play with a team that is changed and that saw them escape the bottom spot in the table. They beat Proton and Uralocka in January, which are better than Voronez. A better-quality, a more experienced team and the home arena should see Leningradka win to get closer to playoffs or at least to secure the play-out. Details

Pennetta finally recorded first wins this season last week but her game was not very good. I expected more from her against Wozniacki but she fell apart after the first set. Pennetta has played 9 matches since the start of the season to finish four of them in three sets and three other ones with a lot of games (21 Safarova, 22 Pirnokova, 21 Wang). She is prone to ups and downs and close matches and I expect one of them today. Kuznetsova has not have a good start to the season and I think she missed out on the perfect chance to beat Kerber last week. She had 5-2 in the first set and lost it and missed out on a number of chances in the second set. She has been prone to playing tough matches since the start too. She finished two matches in three sets, went over 23 games with Kerber, forced Keys into 20 games. stats support this tip and I think we are in for another match with a lot of games since both players struggle and I don't think either is capable of winning easily. Details

I decided to go with the Frenchman even though this is his ATP debut. His form is the main reason and despite not doing much before this tournament, his performances here simply amazed me. He sailed through he first match with Donskoy and then stunned the No.2 seed and one of the greatest talents of today - Coric. He lost a service game only once in both matches and always won over 80% of service points. That is not surprising since that is his trademark and the conditions in Dubai are traditionally fast. I think he has the upper hand when it comes to being adapted to conditions, and I think when it comes to confidence too. Golubev won only one match this season and his confidence is running low, as the match with Kuznetsov, in which he lost 10 out of the last 12 games proved. I think the Frenchman can win here and I'll take the handicap to be sure because of the fast conditions. Details