We move from the laid back atmosphere of Indian Wells to red hot South Beach. The season really starts heating up here as the clay court season is around the corner and points are to be had. The musical chair game we have seen at the beginning of the year is only getting wilder and like Miami, hotter. The only sure thing we have seen so far is that Victoria Azarenka cannot be touched. Will she keep that up in Miami? Maria Sharapova has been unbeatable for the exception of one Victoria Azarenka. Petra Kvitova is trying to find her form at the beginning of the year after a couple of head scratchers and then there is the rest of the field. Caroline Wozniacki just seems to keep moving down on the slide she is in and Agnieszka Radwanska is moving up the ladder quietly. Samantha Stosur is not the same as she was in the Open last year and Serena has been missing in action much of the year with her sister Venus. Miami will give us some answers, or might just confuse us more. As I have done in the past, I will break down the draws of the top 4 seeds.
#1 Victoria Azarenka
Can we say Djokovic year? She has been unbelievable and unstoppable this year. The target on her back is huge now but the only problem is that no one can hit her. Vika is here to stay and you might as well pencil her in as your champ for this tournament. Angelique Kerber might be waiting for her in the round of 16 giving us a rematch of the semis at Indian Wells. Vika moved past red hot Kerber quickly and I'm predicting the same here. Moving into her quarterfinal match, Vika could face Bartolli who is a savvy vet but doesn't posses the stamina and firepower to really cause Azarenka any problem. Looking into the semis, Vika might be facing the one player that could derail her in Petra Kvitova. This is a juicy match-up with the hot new star facing "yesterday's" star (Wimbledon 2011 champ). Vika should move into the final and probably facing the one player she is feeling she owns, Maria Sharapova. Pencil her in as Miami champ!
#2 Maria Sharapova
She is red hot, playing extremely well getting to the finals of the Aussie Open and Indian Wells. Only problem is Azarenka. Maria would be having the best start of her career if it wasn't for Vika so she is hoping someone else can knock her out before the final. This is the only way I can see Maria pulling this title off. Before the final, Sharapova should breeze through her half of the draw relatively easy. She has a possible match up with Jelena Jankovic in the round of 16 that could be tricky. The courts are playing fast which will favor Sharapova and really put Jankovic in the defense. I see this match, with these conditions, being a blowout. Li Na might be waiting for Maria in the quarters. Depending on which Li Na shows up then this might be a match. I can see Li Na losing early in this tournament as she has been up and down this year. Maria then will look at a possible meeting with Caroline Wozniacki in the semis. The way these two are going in opposite directions will favor Maria. Expect her in the finals hoping Vika has been knocked out.
#3 Petra Kvitova
Kvitova is coming off a great year in 2011 but has struggled in finding her form in 2012. She has seen a semi final loss at the Aussie Open turn into an early round exit at Indian Wells. She was one of the victims to the "Indian Wells Bug" and struggled against young American Christina McHale in the round of 32. In Miami, things might heat up early for her as she is could possibly face an inspired Venus Williams. Venus is returning to Miami after time off and she has just launched her revamped fashion line. The longer she can stay on the court, the more exposure it will have. I don't like to bet against either Williams sister, especially when they are motivated, but I just can't see her beating Petra; look for a close match but Kvitova will pull through. In the round of 16 things get even hotter as she faces a hot Ana Ivanovic. Ana is coming off a great result at Indian Wells making it to the semis before she pulled out with a hip injury. If she is healthy we might see a close match, or maybe we will see Ana lose her game again. It is tough to guess with her. Expect Kvitova making it to the semis where she will face Azarenka.
#4 Caroline Wozniacki
Wozniacki is only seeded #4 because Miami takes seeds before Indian Wells starts. She is actually seeded #6 in the WTA rankings and could possibly fall some more. Any other tournament, Caroline might be pumped that she seeded #4 but not in Miami. She will be challenged in the right of 16 by the survivor of Julia Goerges-Kim Clijsters winner. The courts are playing quick, unlike usual Miami and it does not suit Caroline's game well. In the quarters she might be facing a player that needs no introduction in Serena Williams. If Caroline somehow is able to get passed those two heavyweight match-ups she will probably face Maria in the semis. This poor girl can't get a break. Expect Caroline to fall early and enjoy South Beach with Rory McLlroy.
There has only been two constants int he women's game this year. Azarenka beating up on the competition and Maria getting whooped by Azarenka. Expect the same medicine in Miami and start wondering who will be the first to take out Vika! HyperSmash
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