The first matches of the tournament have made an impression that Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova is not in good shape. The game against Carina Witthoeft was easier, but the German is not a challenge for Pavlyuchenkova – Witthoeft would just hit the ball and nothing else. No thoughts, no ideas.
Belinda Bencic played against Annika Beck and had problems. She lost many of her serves. But this was the first match for her in St. Petersburg, and she was fatigued after the Fed Cup matches.
Pavlyuchenkova won the last match head-to-head in Washington, and very easily. But now Nastia makes a lot of mistakes. When she feels the game, everything is different. Belinda Bencic pushes the ball more, then beats on it. Also, she’s moving great, she knows which part of the court she should move to, making it hard for her rival.
Still, I think Pavlyuchenkova will compete. She’s got no obvious weaknesses. She can do everything. She serves and receives the ball well. And she realizes that in the match against Belinda Bencic she must play better, she will play with a high concentration. Even if she loses her serve, she can recoup at the reception. It will be a struggle. Belinda Bencic, of course, is the favorite, but she hasn’t recovered after the game with the German. I think there will be over 21 games.