2014 Miami - Quarterfinals [1]

This is my first blog in a while now - I have a few others which died eventually... I named this blog after one of Li Na's more quotable quotes which she has been repeating this year. Now getting onto the tennis:

[1] Serena Williams vs. [5] Angelique Kerber

Williams, whilst not completely ravaging her opponents this week, has basically done enough so far to generally get things done. Whilst she was challenged by Garcia in the third round, she defeated Vandeweghe quite handily 6-3, 6-1. Kerber, similarly hasn't had such a great start either, almost losing in the second round to Peng, then over a two hour tussle with Makarova. I think that Williams  is coming into this match much fresher than Kerber and opportunities against Williams will be fewer. I don't think that Kerber will be able to capitalise much on any chances anyway, considering that she only got a 25% break point conversion rate. Serena will naturally be able to break down Kerber's defences and especially her serve (5 double faults against Makarova).

Prediction: Serena Williams

[4] Maria Sharapova vs. [8] Petra Kvitova

No matter what happens, this is going to be an amazing match because of the nature of both these players. Both of them haven't played very consistently this year at all but I think Kvitova has done quite nicely at Miami, especially coming from a set down to defeat Ivanovic 3-6, 6-0, 6-0 (it's kind of a double bagel, I guess) and winning her other matches 6-3, 6-4. After coming back from Sochi, Sharapova hasn't really played very well, but at least she has been able to win ugly , especially in her last 2 matches against Flipkens and Safarova, almost taking 3 hours. That's why I think that Sharapova will have the upper hand this time, especially with Kvitova's inconsistency and her own ability to win, no matter what. 

Prediction: Maria Sharapova