Analysis for Chakvetadze-Niculescu (WTA Zurich)

Head-to-head record 0:0

Romanian qualifier Monica Niculescu will play Russian Anna Chakvetadze in the first round at Zurich Open. We were amazed by the way Niculescu played in qualifiers here. She was absolutely impressive in all the matches she played and easily defeated Cirstea, Woerle and K.Bondarenko. She played in a great shape and is full of self confidence at present. Her opponent will be the World No.6, Anna Chakvetadze who hasn’t met the expectations this season so far. At the Australian Open, Chakvetadze lost in the third round to Maria Kirilenko. She then helped defending champion Russia win its first round tie against Isreal in Fed Cup by defeating Obziler. She was the top-seed at the Tier II Open Gaz de France in Paris. She defeated Mauresmo in the quarterfinals, Bartoli in the semifinals, and Szavay in the final to win her seventh career singles title. But she has been struggling since then and lost several times in the first round. She is 1-4 since US Open and her current form is questionable. Both of these girls enjoy offensive style of play and both of them are very ambitious. We expect a tight match where Niculescu has a decent chance. Odds above 3.2 are worth trying for us.