2009 China Open Singles Draw

This is a relatively big event with most or all of the top players entered.

Serena & Venus are on the heavier side of the draw with Kuznetsova, Jankovic, Sharapova, and Azarenka. It is virtually impossible to decide who will make it to the final on either side of the draw, but especially this side. Based on the most current results, Sharapova is playing the best with her serve being almost back to what is was before surgery. Who knows if Jankovic's injury will affect her play? Serena should win the whole thing, but this is not a grand slam and according to her post-match interview, she is not 100%. I would think that Serena would want to redeem herself by winning this event after what happened at the US Open.

A second round match between Sharapova and Azarenka would be interesting to watch. I think that there is very little difference in the way that they play. The only difference might be Sharapova's serve, experience, and mental toughness.

If Sharapova makes it to the quarterfinals against Serena, we will definitely see if her serve is back. Even if Serena is injured, I think she would do whatever it takes to defeat Sharapova.

I don't think the other side of the draw is worth discussing. Dementieva could be inspired by her Olympic win and Safina is under too much pressure to perform well.

Apparently if Serena's results at this event are better than Safina's, Serena will become #1.

After last week's first and second round losses for almost all top players, this week starts better for top seeds.
Safina, Serena, Elena D, Kuznetsova, Azarenka and Zvonareva all won first round matches in straight sets. Big Marion needs 3 sets to win over Rybarikova.
Wozniacki is the only seeded player to lose (to Martinez Sanchez)

(WC) Zhang Shuai (CHN) d. (1) Dinara Safina (RUS) 75 76(5)
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) d. (3) Venus Williams (USA) 36 61 64


Pavlyuchenkova twice in a row against Venus.
Safina is hopeless at the moment. Maybe losing the top spot in the ranking will help her mentally not having to face criticism and so having less mental pressure,

Both Safina and Venus need to take some time off. I thought Venus was having problems with her knee. That's why I was surprised to see her travel to Asia to play these last two tournaments. Maybe she wanted to make sure she qualified for the Year End?

Venus is still having issues with her knee. I don't know why she's playing. I also don't understand how she can serve like a maniac at Wimbledon and serve so poorly elsewhere. I mean the dimensions of the damn court are the same. The height and length of the net is the same. Get it together biatch!!!

Safina????.....I can't....I can't I can't

Serena needs one more win to take #1, but she also needed one more win at the US Open to get #1 and we all saw how that turned out. And given Lazyrena was the one who showed up for her first round match, I wouldn't be surprised if she lost next round. Plus she has something on her knee.

Serena easily defeated Makarova to get back the #1 position. Just in time to lose a tight match against Patrova in the next round.

The Quarters are:

Zvonareva vs Bartoli
Dementieva vs Radwanska
Kuznetsova vs Pavlyuchenkova
Peng vs Petrova

I think Zvonareva is battling with Jankovic for the last post for the Year End Championships.