Maroon > White
First thing you will notice when looking at the composition of the two groups is the jarring disparity between the resumes of the players residing on the white group and maroon group. (why can’t they just call it the “red” group?).
White Group: Opportunity is knocking real loud, please, somebody, just answer it….
Safina – Can you name another player who is in desperate need of a vacation than our resident #1? Who here thinks she really wants to end the year ranked #1 after all the unfair drama of this season? She’s as good as she wants to be and we’re all pulling for her to at least end the year on a high.
Wozniacki – She’s taken on Jankovic’s job this year as the player who has logged the most miles on her way to Doha. She’s had a career year but has been victim of the injury bug as a late. Not to mention she has become the headlining star of a bizarre betting investigation.
Azarenka – This pony was brilliant out of the blocks but ran out of gas around the midway turn. Hasn’t done much lately, don’t expect too much from her here in Doha.
Jankovic – Has put together a sub par year for herself. We hope she comes in healthy and ready to play.
White Group Picks: It really is a free for all but we’ll take Safina and Wozniacki
Maroon Group: Heavy Weight Battle Ground
Serena – Before you go ahead and pick her to win this title let’s do some stat checking. As great has her resume is, Serena has only one the Championships once. Surprising, non? Convention says she doesn’t show her best at “non majors”.
Venus – The defending champion has done close to nothing post US Open but she should show up very well rested giving that inflamed knee a chance to calmed down. She showed up and won this thing last year. So it’s anyone’s guess what she might do this year.
Dementieva – Our hearts broke a little when she lost to Oudin at the US Open after putting together a terrific summer. Given her day, she can beat anyone. She’s as good as she wants to be and who doesn’t want to see another all out slugfest between her and Serena?
Kuznetsova – The RG champ has been semi MIA since posing with Coup Suzane Lenglen atop Paris. It’s anyone’s guess which Kuznetsova will show up at Doha. Says here, her head is someplace other than Doha.
Maroon Group Picks: We’ll take Dementieva and Serena
Day one matches:
1. Victoria Azarenka vs. Jelena Jankovic
We’ll take JJ in this one.
2. Elena Dementieva vs. Venus Williams
We’ll take Dementieva in this one.
3. Serena Williams vs. Svetlana Kuznetsova
We’ll take Serena in this one.