Feliciano Lopez is in Switzerland

Lopez, having beaten Dustin Brown from Germany, has set himself up for another ATP vicotry. The current ranked 21 from Spain will play Robin Hasse from the Netherlands in the Gstaad final, with the hope of taking the trophy home and some ATP ranking points (250 if he wins, 150 if he loses and by defualt is crowned the runner-up). Lopez, has been pushed against it, in every match in Gstaad and by no means has won all matches without having to play at his full gear. His first round pair-up with qualifier Jan Mertyl from Czech Republic, featured a tie break and his most recent match against the hard-hitting serve from German Dustin Brown, saw him drop the first set. Even so, Lopez with his experience and current ranking should be able to see off a challenge from Hasse, in the same way he did with Brown in the semi final. Hasse, has had a fairly easy run in comparisson to Lopez. The highest ranked player he had to play in the draw was 66 (Paul-Henri Mathieu - the 8th and lowest ranked seed). Hasse, ranked at 95 will find it difficult to win but at least he will have far less expectation from viewers to win. Lopez has won twice as many career titles than Hasse (Lopez = 4 career titles), has a top 21 ranked postiion in the ATP rankings (74 positions higher than his opponent) and has qualified for the Olympics. Expectation may prove Lopez's downfall. Hunger for a better ranking might prove Hasse's enermy. My money is still on Lopez.

Konta SF Stanford

Here comes Stanford semi-final and guess what I predicted right, Konta is in the semi-final. However, she didn't meet all the players I first thought she might (I.e 7th seed Alize Cornet - 51st in the world was knocked out prematurely). Konta, has outdone herself and proved once again why she has affirmed her place in the top 20 WTA players in the world. Even so, if Konta can make a run for the final at Stanford, she would climb to almost 15th in the world. This proves hard work and determination are attributes that can help a player make a name for themselves on the female tennis tour.

Konta will face Cibulkova and this is going to be a very difficult match for Konta. The last time she faced this player; she lost in straight sets. Cibulkova might be petite, but she still packs a punch and having won Eastbournce Aegon International and reaching the QF of Wimbledon, she will be a component difficult to beat. Cibulkova's win was some time ago, at the beginning of the year (Hobart) and since then Konta has taken down players in the top 20 (Kivitova in Eastbourne). So why can't she again? Her 1st serve percentage better be on form in order to tackle Cibulkova's return.

Konta will take fond memories from Stanford regardless, she has made the semi-final in both the doubles (with top 60's doubles player from the U.S - Maria Sanchez) and singles titles. She is yet to play either match - but let's hope the odds will be in her favour. Two finals great. One final, great. Two semi-finals, still great.

 Konta has proved herself and consistently provides performances of class, 2016 has been her year and a WTA premier title would affirm her place in the top 15.

Needless to say, we have to face fact, Cibulkova is climbing back into a career best. This week she has moved back into the top 10 since last featuring in the top 10, 2 years ago at around the same time (summer). Just in time for Rio, I guess. And, with a year-to-date (YTD) of 33wins and under 13 losses, she looks in form for her first hard court title this year.

Ironically, I'm an optimist. Konta is going to win.

Johanna Konta at Stanford

Johanna Konta, British Female No.1  (photo found online at google - not used to profit from financially)

Its the first tournament for Konta post Wimbledon and I'm sure the Australian turnt UK sensation wants to put another win on the board following her most recent success at Eastbourne AEGON International (bettering her 2015 QF result to reach the SF). Konta by default progresses to the second round at Stanford (Bank of the West Classic) without playing a match due to her current ranking of 18 in the world.

This ranking has secured her a seeding at another tournament. Konta is yet to be seeded at this tournament, so here’s to hoping being seeded [3] for this particular tournament will favour her. At worst, even losing in the 2nd round will earn the brit 55 WTA points. This is not to say success is off the cards for the brit. 

If rankings and seeding’s are anything to go by in this tournament, the biggest threat for Konta will be Cibulkova seeded [2], whom has won this title previously (2014 Champion) which she would only meet guaranteeing a successful run from both players to the SF.

Presumably the first opponent Konta will face is Naomi Osaka (ranked 88). Rankings aren’t everything to go by seeing as young Osaka has made a name of herself this year. The 19 year-old managed to reach the 3rd round of the French Open this year, bettering Konta's best performance of the 1st round at the same tournament. Equally, the young starlet now well within the top 100 players, has racked up a few serious wins beating former top 20 player Sara Errani this year in Miami. Kontas first match therefore will not be a walk in the park.

If Konta manages to beat Osaka, a potential QF match-up will see Konta versus Alize Cornet. This match up will be one of interest. Cornet has slipped in the ranking since her remarkable form in 2009 climbing to a career high ranking of 11 and beating Serena Williams on three occasions since. However, the French professional has dropped to 51 and third and fourth round appearances at Grand Slams have been less frequent. Needless to say the French powerhouse will want to prove herself in the run up to Rio and its not unlikely she will want to add another title to her shelf, that will sit beside her last one from earlier this year (Hobart International).

Konta, continues to prove herself and then has an occasional hic-cup performance where she exists early in the first round (French Open and Madrid). These hic-cups are becoming so infrequent I wouldn't be surprised to see Konta challenge Venus Williams for the trophy here at Stanford - what an epic final that would be.