Caroline Wozniacki primed to book last-eight berth

WTA Madrid Open
BT Sport 2, 11am Wednesday

There were doubts surrounding the fitness of Caroline Wozniacki heading into Madrid after she was forced to retire in Istanbul, but her opening two wins in the Spanish capital have suggested she’s in fighting shape and she can book her place in the last eight with victory over Kiki Bertens.

The great Dane eased past Daria Gavrilova in her curtain-raiser before toppling another Australian challenger when displaying all of her battling qualities to overcome the talented Ashleigh Barty.

The Aussie youngster was 4-2 up in the deciding set but Wozniacki rallied to take the final four games and the world number two’s will to win should see her reach the quarter-finals at the expense of Bertens, who has lost all three of their meetings without claiming a set.

Kristina Mladenovic was a beaten finalist in this event last season and the classy clay performer can tee up another strong run in Madrid by beating Maria Sharapova.

The Frenchwoman has already proved too good for the hard-hitting Coco Vandeweghe and seasoned Chinese performer Shuai Zhang this week and looks overpriced to stop a declining Sharapova, who lost their only meeting on the slower surface in Stuttgart last season.

King of the clay Rafael Nadal, who is a red-hot favourite to claim a sixth title in Madrid, headlines the men's action (Sky Sports Arena & Mix, 11am) and he is 1-20 to defeat the eccentric Gael Monfils and book his place in the last 16.

Recommendations
C Wozniacki
1pt 8-11 Betfair
K Mladenovic
1pt 7-4 general

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