Women's Australian Open Draw
Henin on Pace to Claim WTA Tour's First Grand SlamTitle of 2008
World No.1 and the No.1 seed in the Women’s Australian Open (AO), Justine Henin, is the odds on favorite to claim her second AO title and eighth Grand Slam of her career in 2008. It isn’t likely to be easy given the depth of women’s tennis that is unlike any other era in tennis.
No Early Challenge for Henin
Henin isn’t likely to face a real challenge until a potential match-up with Tatiana Golovin (13) in the round of 16 if each holds her seed. Golovin has taken Henin to three sets in two of their last three meetings, and is seeking to climb into the top-ten for the first time.
Sharapova-Davenport 2nd-Round Match-up?
For a change, Maria Sharapova (5) doesn’t have a cupcake draw into the later rounds. If the fifth-seeded Sharapova gets past her first round opponent, she is likely to face unseeded Lindsey Davenport, who has won two of the last three events she has played, including last week’s tune-up in Auckland.
Is Serena WIlliams Healthy?
Some may still consider No.7 seed Serena Williams a threat to claim her ninth Grand Slam, but Serena has not posted a victory since mid-October of ’07 and has not won a tournament since April of ‘07. Unless she has overcome her various physical ailments, she may struggle to get past her first round opponent, wildcard Jaramila Gajdosova, who could prove to be a tough obstacle. Gajdosova has some game, beating world No.32 Ai Sugiyama and losing a close one to No.16 seed Dinara Safina last week. However, if Serena is healthy, she is likely to be facing Henin in the semis.
Other Top-half Threats
In addition to Davenport and Sharapova, others in the top half of the draw presenting a semi-legitimate threat to Henin’s bid for a third Grand Slam in four tries, include Jelena Jankovic (3), Amalie Mauresmo (18), and Nicole Vaidisova (12). If Henin is on her game enough to get by Golovin, chances are she will play in the final match.
Kuznetsova & Venus Headline Bottom-half
The bottom half of the draw will be no cakewalk for No.2 seed Svetlana Kuznetsova. She is likely to face the hard-hitting Agnieszka Radwanska (29) in round three, and could be heading for a quarterfinal skirmish with No.9 seed Daniela Hantuchova with whom she has split the last six meetings.
Henin Wins Final
No.8 seed Venus Williams appears to have a relatively clear path to the round of 16 where her first test is likely to be No.10 seed Marion Bartoli. Williams has not lost to Bartoli and should not be fully tested until a potential face-off with No.4 seed Ana Ivanovic, to who Venus has never lost. Barring injury or a major upset, Venus and Kuznetsova are likely to play for the right to face Justine Henin in the final, with Henin claiming her first of three Grand Slams this year.
