The moment everyone has been waiting for. My cheating predictions.

Some would argue that these are not real predictions, that I am taking the easy way out, I am not brave enough to predict a full draw break down from day one round one. And I tend to agree, so in the interest of my dignity I have decided to make my predictions from here, the quarterfinal, right up until that final day where the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen will be raised by some one and there is a 63% chance that that person will be lifting the a slam trophy for the very first time.

Quarterfinal number one

The contenders – 6th seed Sam Stosur vs pocket rocket 15th seed Dominika Cibulkova
The head to head – 1-0 Stosur. (6-4 6-3 victory in Stanford 2009)
Their best RG result – Stosur, finalist (2010), Cibulkova, semifinalist (2009)
The prediction – If weather conditions remain as the have for the last two days, wet and windy, the fearless Cibulkova could pull out the win in three. Stosur strives on being the underdog, and moments after Cibulkova took down top seeded Azarenka, Stosur became the favorite to advance to the final from the bottom half and looked shaky against American teenager, Sloane Stephens. Both ladies toughest opponent will be their mentality. Cibulkova in three.

Quarterfinal number two

The contenders – 10th seeded German, Angelique Kerber takes on 21st seeded Italian, Sara Errani
The head to head – 1-0 Kerber. (6-1 6-2 victory in Hobart this year)
Their best RG result – Both are enjoying their best run at Roland Garros, making the quarterfinal.
The prediction – Kerber has look lost on clay at times during the week and admittedly it is her worst surface, Errani has be stellar on clay in 2012, winning three titles (Acapulco, Barcelona and Budapest) on the surface, and should bode well for her. The biggest difference is that Angie has won a slam quarter final before (2011 US Open) while Errani lost her only other slam quarter final (2012 AO), nerves could very well be the deciding factor and her superior mental strength could see Kerber prevail in the encounter gets pushed to a deciding set. Errani in twoOR Kerber in three 😛

Quarterfinal number three

The contenders – Qualifier Yaroslava Shvedova versus fourth seed Petra Kvitova
The head to head – This will be the firt meeting between the two
Their best RG result – Shvedova in in her second Roland Garros quarterfinal the previous one coming in 2012 while this is Kvitova’s first ever appearance in the quarters of Roland Garros.
The prediction – Kvitova, arguably the most talented and purist ball striker of the younger generation has been having modest results, for her standards, all year. Howeer  think in the battle Kvitova’s superiror hitting should be too much the 24-year-old Kzak on the comeback trail from injury. Kvitova in two.

Quarterfinal number four

The contenders – 23rd seed Kaia Kanepi vs second seed Maria Sharapova
The head to head- This will also be the first meeting between these two power hitters
Their best RG result – Kanepi reached the quarterfinal in 2008 as well while Sharapova is a dual semifinalist (2007 and 2011)
The prediction – Similar to the first quarterfinal, the weather is a huge factor in this result, as his both players mental strength and Sharapova’s wrist. Maria appeared to develop a wrist injury in her fourth round marathon with Klara Zakapolova,where she appeared to struggle with the pressures of being the overwhelming favorite for the title and the prospect of completing a carrer grand slam. Kanepi would have to be one of the mentally weakest players on the tour, as she choked not once but twice against her third round opponent, Caroline Wozniacki, letting slide a 6-1 5-1 lead, pulling through in an ugly three setter, and is notorious for her ability, or lack of it, in closing out matches, especially big ones – Wimbledon 2010 quarterfinal flashback! I think it ultimately comes down to what will hamper them more? Sharapova’s wrist and and the pressure of being such a huge favorite and completing her “Shara Slam” or Kanepi’s fragile mentality. Kaia in three.

The semis

Sara Errani def Dominika Cibulkova
Petra Kvitova def Kaia Kanepi

The final

If we use our trust Who Will Win Roland Garros formula for the past few years of Pretty much random player def solid, title favorite = eventual slump then we should see Errani play the match of her life, because the french open is random like that, thanks 2008 Justine.