2010 Australian Open Women’s Draw:
Q1: Serena’s to lose
Serena
Comes off a very sluggish performance in Sydney on a bum knee. We’re not really sure how we feel about her. One thing is for sure: this is a major, so count her out at your peril.
Zvonareva
Waterworks has a tricky section with a possible 3rd rounder with Ivanovic. She’s a fighter but not enough game to go deep.
Azarenka
Has the tools and the draw to get to the quarters if she wants to.
Sleepers?
Ivanovic
Working with a new coach and seems to be in a much happier place. Still has the serve-toss yips when the score is close. 2 qualifiers in her section and a winnable match in the 3rd round.
Lisicki
Plenty of firepower to fuel her through at least a few rounds if she doesn’t have another freak accident on match point.
Stosur
Good attacking all court game, good hands up at net and decent draw to go 4 rounds.
Semi Pick: Serena
Q2: Opportunity Abound
Wozniacki
Should counterpunch her way to the quarters. Potential 3rd round against another puncher, Peer.
Venus
Went to Melbourne early to prepare after ho-hum performance in Hong Kong. Melbourne hasn’t been kind to V in recent years. Has tricky opening round against Safarova (Be on upset watch)
Li
Can’t complain about her draw. Opportunity knocks.
Sleepers?
Molik
Back from her sabbatical. Sentimental home crowd favorite, Aussies will be pulling hard for her.
Oudin
Sophomore slump or rising star? We’ll find out soon enough. Winnable match against potential 3rd round encounter with Radwanska. How many times will she get asked about her idol Henin in her pressers?
Semi Pick: Wozniacki or total surprise
Q3: The Battle Ground
This Q looks like the kind of main draw tier 1 tournaments would die for
Dementieva
Just can’t catch a break. Henin owns a 9-2 record and dished out 3 bagel sets. How cruel, how cruel the hand of fate….
Henin
All eyes will be on her. Clijsters set the comeback bar pretty high and you can bet Henin is going to try her darndest to match it. Hasn’t worked out all the kinks in her new service motion which makes it susceptible in key moments. Making a run is in the cards, but getting out of this section is a tall task.
Clijsters
Keeps playing better and better Looking very happy, comfortable and relaxed on the court. She’s found a clarity to her game and it’s giving her plenty of confidence. Another major? It’s in the cards.
Kuznetsova
She’s as good as she wants to be on any given day. Headcase syndrome is hard to shake off, even with 2 majors on the resume.
Sleepers?
Petrova
The game is there but old habits die hard.
Dokic
Put in a nice run at last year’s oz. Has the game to give the Aussies something to cheer about. 1st round baseline blitzer encounter with Kleybonova – lookout.
Wickmayer
Comes in with fire in belly after being forced to qualify for the main draw
Semi Pick: Clijsters
Q4: Look out for Sharapova
Jankovic
Hasn’t done much lately and don’t think she will here. Not enough game. Look out for the 31st seed, Alona Bondarenko who is freshoff a tournament win in Hobart.
Sharapova
This is her chance to get back into the mix. Has a decent draw. Drew her doppelganger, Kirilenko, in the 1st round. Tricky match.
Safina
The back has healed and appears to be at full health but where is she mentally? Many feel that her time has come and gone. We have to agree.
Sleepers?
Bartoli
DIY game packs a punch and should get her to the 4th round.
Semi Pick: Sharapova