Few surprises were evident during the first week on this half of the women's singles draw at Wimbledon, and that sets up some terrific matches and potential upsets.
The bottom half of the draw produced only one real surprise for me through the first three rounds, and that was Dinara Safina, the 13-seed, falling to unseeded Akiko Morigami. Morigami had lost in the first round of her last four events, so she wasn’t expected to beat Marat Safin’s baby sis, who had just gotten to the semis of s'Hertogenbosch. So much for expectations.
Paszek Dismisses Golovin
This is an upset on paper, but as promised, Tamira Paszek gave No.17 seed Tatiana Golovin all she could handle. After Golovin appeared late, Paszek sent the Frenchwoman home early with a decent paycheck and lots of tabloid clippings about her red knickers.
Sharapova and Mauresmo in Fourth Round
Only two of the big names on the bottom-half of the draw, No.2 seed Maria Sharapova and No. 4 seed Amalie Mauresmo, have finished third-round matches and they have moved on with ease in straight sets.
Venus Struggles with Morigami
Venus Williams will finish her tussle today with Morigami, who has already shown her heart by bumping Safina. Venus is up a set, but down 1-4 in the second. Venus went up 1-0 in the second and had multiple breakpoints in the second game, but failed to convert and ended up losing four straight games. However, after escaping that first-round nail-biter, Williams should pull this one out as well, even if it goes three.
Ivanovic Winning Quietly
Ana Ivanovic, the 6th-seed and French Open finalist should roll over Aravane Rezai, although the Frenchwoman has shown that she is a tough competitor. Ivanovic is quietly going about her business, and is likely headed for a showdown with Mauresmo in the quarters.
Mauresmo Awaits Vaidisova
Mauresmo will have to get by a projected fourth-round match-up with teenager Nicole Vaidisova (14-seed), who pounds the ball and should advance past unseeded Victoria Azarenka in the third round. Vaidisova has enough game, but Mauresmo is playing well on the lawn and her experience should pull her through to the Ivanovic match-up.
Paszek Looking for Upset #2
Paszek should pull off another upset and take out No.12 seed Elena Dementieva in their third-round match. That is likely to be the end of the road for Pazek, however, because next up should be Svetlana Kuznetsova, the No.5 seed that no one seems to be talking about. I believe Kuznetsova is heading for a quarterfinal dance with Sharapova or Venus Williams, but I wouldn’t be too surprised to see the 16-year-old Paszek get past Kuznetsova.
Sharapova or Venus to Face Kuznetsova?
I initially picked Venus to reach the quarters over Sharapova, but after watching the two play, Sharapova looks to be the sharper of the two. But on any given day, Venus can beat anyone, and if both come out with their best games, it will come down to mental toughness in the third set. Either of the two should beat Kuznetsova who doesn’t seem to fancy grass, despite her ability to play the frontcourt, and despite reaching the quarters at Wimbledon twice.
Bottom-Half Holds Most Excitement
The bottom-half is too tough to pick at this stage, but I expect the big name players (Mauresmo, Sharapova, Williams, Ivanovic and Kuznetsova) to be major players, with Paszek as a possible upset special to reach the final. This is the half of the draw to keep an eye on once the Henin-Williams match-up is over. I’m out!
