Melanie Oudin (1.4) v Olga Savchuk (3.25)

Oudin won with ease when these two met in Charleston last year, and last year was one of the stars here as she reached the quarter-finals. However, this year has been a struggle for the American and she’s lost 11 of 14 matches since May – all in straight sets – with her only wins against the out of form Anna-Lena Groenfeld and Aleksandra Wozniak, and against world number 161 Jamie Hampton. However, she has won her last 11 matches against players currently ranked 101-200, with all those wins in straight sets.

Savchuk has come through qualifying and has won three of her seven completed matches on hard courts against players currently ranked 26-100 in the past 12 months. Furthermore she’s won five of seven matches on hard courts since 2008 when 2.5-4.0 to win and four of her five matches against Americans during the current US Open Series of events.

With their current form Savchuk looks to offer value, however, Oudin’s best chance of winning is to do so in straight sets and is she rediscovers the magic she found here a year ago she will probably do just that and it’s worth having some cover.

Recommendation: 0.75pt Savchuk to win at 3.25, Extrabet
                                   0.25pt Oudin to win 2-0 at 2.1, William Hill

Alona Bondarenko (1.83) v Vera Dushevina (2.1)

The head-to-head record stands at two wins apiece, with Bondarenko winning their only meeting this year, at the French Open.

Bondarenko has won eight of her last 11 matches against players currently ranked 51-100, including eight of 10 when the favourite. Moreover, she’s won 12 of her last 16 matches when 1.7-2.0 to win, including 10 of her last 14 such matches on hard courts.

Dushevina has lost in qualifying in her last two events and has lost her last six matches against players currently ranked 11-50. Moreover, she’s lost in the first round of seven of her 10 Grand Slams since 2008, including all four hard court events.

Recommendation: Bondarenko to win at 1.90, Betfair

Daniela Hantuchova (2.15) v Dinara Safina (1.8)

Safina has won their last four meetings, including last week in New Haven 7/6, 7/6. However, while Safina has enjoyed a bit of a revival recently she was still beaten comfortably by Kirilenko last week and after her win last week will shoulder all the pressure. Moreover, she’s last half her 12 matches this year against players currently ranked 11-50 and since 2008 has lost 10 of 18 matches when 1.7-2.0 to win. Also, seven of Safina’s last 16 matches have gone to a third set.

Hantuchova has been playing fairly well this year without getting the results, but reaching the semis in San Diego was promising and she’s at her best on North American hard courts. Half her last 12 matches have gone to a third set as well as four of her last seven matches against current 26-50 ranked players (W3-L1). She’s also won seven of 10 matches this year against players ranked 26-50, while eight of her 12 matches since 2009 when 2.0-2.5 to win have gone to a third set, including six of eight on hard courts.

Recommendation: Split stakes – Hantuchova to win at 2.2, Betfair
                                                              Total sets = 3 at 2.55, Sporting Bet

Michelle Larcher de Brito (2.2) v Sania Mirza (1.8)

Teenage prodigy Larcher de Brito has found some form in qualifying as she won three matches including a double-bagel in one match. Since 2008, Larcher de Brito has won seven of 10 outdoor hard matches against players currently ranked 101-200, including three of four this year. Furthermore, she’s won eight of 14 matches when 2.0-2.5 to win.

Mirza has also come through qualifying but has been having a poor couple of years and she’s lost half her six matches against players ranked 101-200 since February. Furthermore, she’s lost eight of 13 matches since 2008 when 1.7-2.0 to win.

Recommendation: Larcher de Brito to win at 2.2, Stan James