Preview and Picks for matches on Saturday, May 1, 2010

Saturday will feature the mens semifinal matches in Rome, Italy.

(unseeded)  Ernests Gulbis  vs.  (#3 seed) Rafael Nadal

Gulbis has had a nice run, but now it will be done.  Nadal will dominate.

Pick - Nadal

RESULT:  Rafael Nadal 6-4, 3-6, 6-4.

(#13 seed) David Ferrer  vs.  (#6 seed) Fernando Verdasco

Just when I think Verdasco is about to hit a wall, he keeps winning.  Everytime I pick against the guy he wins.  So, because I am rooting for David Ferrer to win this match, and I think Ferrer has an excellent chance of doing so, I will not chance it by picking against Verdasco.  So I am going to pick Verdasco even though if I was putting money down on this match I'd lay it on Ferrer.

Pick - Verdasco

RESULT:  David Ferrer 7-5, 6-3.

The Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, a WTA event in Stuttgart, Germany is also in the semifinal stage.

(unseeded) Anna Lapushchenkova  vs.  (#7 seed)  Samantha Stosur

Lapushchenkova keeps surprising with every win, but Stosur is too good.  Stosur will end this Cinderella story.

Pick - Stosur

RESULT:  Samantha Stosur 7-5, 6-3.

(unseeded) Justine Henin  vs.  (unseeded) Shahar Peer

Henin still isn't playing up to her full potential, but she is playing well.  Well enough to beat two top 12 players in Yanina Wickmayer and Jelena Jankovic.  Compared to what she has been through facing Shahar Peer is an easy task.  Henin has too much fire power for Peer in this one.

Pick - Henin

RESULT:  Justine Henin 6-3, 6-2.

This is the Final of the WTA tournament in Fes, Morocco.

(#7 seed) Iveta Benesova  vs.  (unseeded) Simona Halep

Chopping off her boobs seems to be doing wonders for Halep, making it to her first ever WTA final.  Benesova isn't the flashiest player but she does just enough to keep winning.  And that is how I see this final turning out.  Benesova has the experience advantage, and will jump on the nervous Romanian early and go on to win the title.

Pick - Benesova

RESULT:  Iveta Benesova 6-4, 6-2.