The seeds have been announced, so I opened a new thread for the Open.

The seeds
Women
1. Lindsay Davenport (USA)
2. Kim Clijsters (BEL)
3. Amelie Mauresmo (FRA)
4. Maria Sharapova (RUS)
5. Mary Pierce (FRA)
6. Nadia Petrova (RUS)
7. Patty Schnyder (SUI)
8. Justine Henin-Hardenne (BEL)
9. Elena Dementieva (RUS)
10. Venus Williams (USA)
11. Nathalie Dechy (FRA)
12. Anastasia Myskina (FRA)
13. Serena Williams (USA)
14. Svetlana Kusnetsova (RUS)
15. Francesca Schiavone (ITA)
16. Nicole Vaidisova (CZE)
17. Daniela Hantuchova (SVK)
18. Elena Likhovtseva (RUS)
19. Dinara Safina (RUS)
20. Flavia Pennetta (ITA)
21. Ana Ivanovic (SCG)
22. Anna-Lena Groenefeld (GER)
23. Jelena Jankovic (SCG)
24. Tatiana Golovin (FRA)
25. Maria Kirlenko (RUS)
26. Ai Sugiyama (JPN)
27. Marion Bartoli (FRA)
28. Anabel Medina Garrigues (ESP)
29. Klara Koukalova (CZE)
30. Vera Zvonareva (RUS)
31. Gisela Dulko (ARG)
32. Sania Mirza (IND)

Venus and Serena, although they know what their rankings are, must be a little surprised that Serena wasn't given a higher seed on the merit of her last years win. Vaidisova also surprises me at being in the top 16--I guess I'm just not paying good attention to that group.

[ January 12, 2006, 01:29 PM: Message edited by: shore ]

Angela Haynes lost in the first round of the qualies today. It seems like she has game, but is ranked in the 140's right now, and isn't going to go up after the Open. Wonder what's up there?

Shore, I can't recall any of the slams other than Wimbledon seeding other than according to the rankings in my lifetime, with the exception of the "protected rankings" that were officially endorsed by the WTA.

7:55pm EST and ESPN is reporting on the draw but it's not yet on the Aussie Openn site. But Hingis has drawn, or the other way around, Zvonerava and Serena will meet Li Na of China. Ideas?

Lindsay, Venus and Justine are on the same side of the draw according to the report, so Serena must be on the other side from Venus. Lucky.

Finally, it's up:

the draw http://www.australianopen.com/en_AU/scores...s/ws/index.html

After looking at the Draw, I see that Venus and Serena are on the same side of the draw, so it could be a semi meeting if they get that far.

Danilidou looks like a possible upset for Schnyder in the first round. And Vaidisova looks guaranteed a second week appearance. And I'm surprised to see Dechy seeded 11th.

Davenport, Kooz, Venus and JHH are all in the same quarter--certainly the toughest place to be.

Oh god, I just notice that Sharapova and Serena could meet in the round of 16! And which is ready for that test? Someone has said Serena is heavy, having gained weight--any pics? And how is Sharapova muscle strain?

Eek! Serena opens with Na Li. I like both players a lot and Na Li has the game to beat an out-of-shape, out-of-form Serena. Worse yet, even if Serena gets through she faces Dementieva in the third round. Another tough match for her given her current form. I have a feeling Serena will be sent packing early and maybe that will give her to motivation to get herself back into the form she needs to reach the upper echelons of the game again.

Quarters picks:

Lindsay/Venus (Henin has said the only player she fears is Venus, because she gives away no emotions; on the other hand Henin is playing so well, she may be read to ovecome that mental barrier)
Sharapova/Dementieva
Mauresmo/Myskina
Clijsters/Pierce

Semis picks:

Lindsay/Dementieva (Venus is not in form to beat Lindsay yet after suffering another injury; when Dementieva is in her scrappy-win-at-all-costs moods, she can beat anyone, including an injured Sharapova, even if she has to suffer 10 double faults in the process)
Mauresmo/Pierce (Clijsters's injury gives Pierce the edge)

Finals picks

Lindsay/Pierce (will the chokers choke during the semis match? I'm guessing Lindsay will not choke and Mauresmo will, but a semifinal showing for her is still good news as it gives her more confidence going forward)

I would pick Lindsay to win, but we know her recent history at slam finals. I think she's so fed up with losing close slam matches, that she's ready to take this one.

WOW! This draw is tough on top. Serena particularly has a terrible, terrible draw. I'm no fan of hers, but my goodness, that's crazy. It looks like this:

1st: Na Li
3rd: Hantuchova (obvious all potential at this point)
4th: Sharapova
Quarters: Dementieva/Petrova
Semis: Lindsay/Venus/JHH

This top half is just nuts.

With injuries and fragility in the bottom half, I would expect a suprise quarterfinalist and possible semifinalist (maybe Schnyder, Schiavone, Vadisova). I do hope Clijsters and Mauresmo do well in the bottom half though.

Can not wait for Sunday night!

As for Hingis...if I had to draw a seed, I wouldn't mind Vera. Her draw is relatively easy until Pierce in the 3rd (should she get though, which isn't a done deal), and gets easier again after that, with Clijsters injured.

Posted by playerten73 (Member # 2559) on January 12, 2006, 04:58 PM:

Lindsay got Venus and Henin on her half.

Hingis drew Zvonareva in the First Round but should beat her, since that girl is such a head case and will be playing against a "heady" player!


Posted by ltskinmdterp (Member # 3574) on January 12, 2006, 05:03 PM:

Venus/Henin and Serena/Sharapova 4th rounds could be very interesting should they match up. Serena still doesn't seem ready to me to be able to make a serious run. Venus is having injury problems with her hip right now so she may not be 100%. Sharapova is playing through pain with her rib dislocation. Injuries continue to be much of a side story. As much as I can't stand Justine Henin I think that if healthy and rejuvenated from her time off she could be a serious threat. The winner of the Serena/Sharapova match makes the semis as far as I can see. Lindsay would much rather have to play Justine than Kim. She should be happy with her draw. Kim is also dealing with a little injury situation.

Martina could face Pierce in round 3 and that would be bye bye Hingis. There are some interesting matchups. With Kim sort of being not 100% I'm not sure who the hell is the clear favorite. I really don't think there is one. Lindsay once again has a great opportunity to win a slam as other players are sort of hobbling and not 100% and to make up for last year's collapse. She won't win the French and a lot can happen between now and Wimbledon. She better cut the bullshyt and take this.


Posted by JC (Member # 360) on January 12, 2006, 05:32 PM:

I'm not sure about Kim not being 100%. I think she has a tendency to overdramatize injuries. She told us the wrist injury might end her career. I also remember her going into the Australian Open in 2003 with a knee injury that she hinted might force her to withdraw, and she went all the way to the final.

If she's healthy, I would rate Kim as the favorite, otherwise, I don't know. Lindsay on paper, I guess, but Justine has looked impressive in Sydney. Her draw is not favorable, but if she's in top form, you never know. Given the condition of Serena and Sharapova, this could be an opportunity for Hantuchova to make the QF. I like Dementieva's chances at the semis in that section.

Amelie has a very friendly draw--Vaidisova's probably the biggest danger. It could be time for her to make a big impact.

Hingis' draw isn't bad, all things considered. Vera's shown signs of life lately, but is so emotionally fragile that you'd have to say Hingis has a shot and she should be able to handle Llagostera-Vives or Emma Laine in rd. 2. She used to own Mary Pierce, but I don't think she's got enough back to threaten her--still, 3rd round isn't too bad for a first major in four years.

Clijsters draw is quite nice.


Posted by Tennis Guy (Member # 3443) on January 12, 2006, 05:48 PM:

I don't think Hingis got a good draw at all, in the first round. Zvonareva made it to the ASB final last week and is playing very well. Her ranking has dipped to #31, but she's been as high as #9 in the world, and looks resurgent to me. My dislike of Hingis aside, I still favor Zvonareva to win this match, unless she has a massive unforseen Russian Head Trauma relapse, which as we all know, is possible in her case.

I'm not sure of the severity of Clijster's latest injury, but if it's not bad at all, I like her and Davenport. Too many women are a mystery right now, especially the Williams sisters, Sharapova, JHH, Petrova, and Kim. It really would be nice to have at least one slam with all of them at full steam.


Posted by mec46205 (Member # 3011) on January 13, 2006, 06:58 AM:

This is one of the most lopsided Grand Slam draws I've seen in a long time. Top half includes Davenport, both Williams, Sharapova, JHH; bottom half is Clijsters, Mauresmo, Pierce, and Schnyder. Although Pierce is confident after a great 2005 and Mauresmo should be confident after winning the YEC, I don't see either as a serious contender. While anything can happen in quarters and semis, the top half will have much tougher/bigger matches in earlier rounds. Pierce could get past either Mauresmo or Clijsters, but probably not both in succession (assuming Amelie doesn't fall apart). If she does, she'll have to pull off a third big win in a row, which she wasn't able to do in 2005.

As much as I'd like to see Kim pull it off, I'm actually going to predict Davenport will get it together this time.


Posted by Bryan (Member # 323) on January 13, 2006, 10:33 AM:

Injuries that happen in practice are always worrisome (see: LD at the 2004 US Open) but I imagine Cljisters is just fine and more than ready. If so, she's the front runner. LD is next in my book and really, enough of this oh so close stuff with Lindsey - Just win it!

I'll be surprised if Serena escapes the first round. Venus will do much better but her attitude sounds shaky. JHH's serve is a definite liability right now and probably the only thing that keeps her from being a real contender.

This surface and her past success makes Pierce someone to watch. I'll bet she's ready.

I'm routing for Davenport, but betting on Clijsters.

Shep71, Haynes's brother died in a motorcycle accident last fall. I saw her play in a tournament only a couple of weeks later and her heart wasn't in it (singles, at least), understandably. Doesn't sound like the tide has turned.

Hmm...this draw. Some random thoughts:

Yeah, top half looks rough, but Petrova and Dementieva are on easy street -- their portion is qualifier central. Maybe it's wrong to make that assumption and some of the qualies will come in fierce, but in comparison to Serena and Sharapova's section just above, they have it easy. Sharapova has Mashona Washington nearby, who beat her last year, so if she's still hurting, that'll be interesting.

Amongst the new hopes, I was hoping to see Safarova make a run, but apparently she was injured winning Gold Coast. Plus she's got a tough draw -- Schiavone, who eats up power hitters, in the third round, and Clijsters in the fourth.

Amongst early certain or potential matchups, I'm especially wondering about Serena's first-round, Schnyder vs. Danilidou in the first round, and the possible third round between Hingis and Pierce. Hingis always used to beat Pierce but I don't think she's ready for Mary's current I'll-bang-you-over-the-head-with-a-skillet!!! style of play.

We'll see...

[ January 13, 2006, 07:53 PM: Message edited by: Two-hander ]

Tennis Guy, I didn't say it was a GOOD draw, I said it was not bad. There are a couple dozen players that scare me more than Zvonareva. As far as her recent performance, I guess it's one of these is the glass half empty or half full questions. Are you impressed by her trouncing Hantuchova and Kirilenko, or troubled by her struggling with Yoon Jeong Cho and getting pounded by Marion Bartoli. With the caveat that I didn't see any of the matches, it sounds to me like Vera's performance is erratic.

Against Lindsay, Justine's serve will be absolutely critical. If she can keep Lindsay on her heels on that first ball she'll win, but if Lindsay finds her range, she won't. Against Venus, I think it will mostly depend on what sort of form Venus is in, which is very difficult to say. I wouldn't consider her record against Venus to be of much significance, it's three years since their last match.

I read on the Aussie website that Hingis and Zvonerava have never met, which opens the question, Will Hingis chess-game style bring Vera to tears and frustration. I don't think Hingis is going to be intimidated by Vera's power game (I"m not really sure how big it is), and when she has the chance to mix it up, she will. I give the edge to Martina.

Here is today's order of play:
http://www.australianopen.com/en_AU/scores...dule/index.html

And I'm surprised to see Dokic given a showcourt for her return. They are being nice to her, hope she can deserve it. And it looks like SErena and Andy will be on ESPN tonight as they are playing night matches in Australia.

[ January 14, 2006, 07:35 AM: Message edited by: shore ]

I've decided to start the ball rolling with some picks. As usual, the crystal ball is cloudy at this time of year, when a number of players are coming in with no warm-up at all and several key players are injured. But just for fun, I'll
pick:

4th rd
Davenport d. Kuznetsova (or maybe Golovin)
Henin-Hardenne d. Venus Williams (could go either way)
Hantuchova d. Sharapova (this section’s a tough call—Serena could win out or somebody like Shuai Peng, Na Li or even Jelena Kostanic might emerge)
Dementieva d. Petrova
Myskina (or Safina) d. Schnyder
Vaidisova d. Mauresmo
Pierce d. Ivanovic
Clijsters d. Schiavone (or Safarova or Groenefeld)

QF
Davenport d. Henin-Hardenne?
Dementieva d. Hantuchova
Vaidisova d. Myskina
Clijsters d. Pierce

SF
Davenport d. Dementieva
Clijsters d. Vaidisova

F
Clijsters d. Davenport

JC, I LOVE that you have Hantuchova beating Sharapova!

Does anyone know about Capriati? I thought she was going to play the Aus Open? I don't see her in the draw or hear anything on her.

She's expected back by March and has been practicing in Florida. Definitely by her home tournament in Miami. She supposedly had either another shoulder surgery last Fall or a wrist surgery.

I actually think it's smarter of her to come back at a smaller tournament, like in Europe or before Indian Wells, just so the spotlight isn't on her. Afterall, she hasn't played a competitive match since November, 2004 and she never was one for the spotlight!

I miss her, she's one of my favorites! Her 2 wins in Melbourne were classics, in my opinion! The first one in 2001, just by the way she beat Monica and Lindsay, then blew Hingis off the court that day, all her shots were on! The second one in 2002, just the drama of it all, the heat, the tantrums, her will and Hingis' meltdown!

Agreed playerten73, I like Capriati as well. I know many folks don't care for her temperament, but I sort of enjoy the drama she brings. Here's hoping for a successful comeback!

Here are some quarterfinal predictions, however far-fetched...

Davenport vs. V. Williams
Hantuchova vs. Dementieva
Safina (weakest part by far) vs. Mauresmo
Pierce vs. Safarova

Today's the day!

Another agreement on Capriati here. Mind you the story of last year was players coming back from lengthy injuries to win Grand Slams and I'd love to see Jen Cap take the US Open at last. We haven't mentioned Schynder much. Semi-final last year and quarter finalist last so she can play on this surface pretty well. Ok she doesn't come across as a future Slam champion but everyone appears to be a bit of an unknown quantity at the moment with injuries. Kim has said that she can't run from side to side at the moment so may not be able to turn up to her first match. Good opportunity for Mauresmo if that is the case. Remember when Novotna was consdiered the most talented player not to win a Grand Slam and she then won the WTA championships in 1997. That seemed to give her an added belief and she finally took Wimbledon the following year. I hope Mauresmo's big win last year will do the same.

Error - Schynder semi-finalist 2 years ago

Davenport's got a new hair color but that same homemade Flo-bee look and starts off the Aussie Open for us. She looks thinner than even LA but she's still a turtle with a jog button. I think however, that this year will be the year she may finally be able to put it together with questions surrounding some of the other players. She has a new coach (WHO IS A DIME BY THE WAY!!!!!) named David Di Lucia. Mmm....I'd like to decorate his cakes. Anywho...yeah...the coach is cute and I really think Linds has got a good shot this year. She's not playing doubles so no worry about her draining out at the end like last year. After Wimbledon I said I'd root for Lindsay at the US Open. She didn't win so I'm stickin with it. I'm rooting for Linds here at the Aussie.

Well for those of you thinking Dementieva and Hantuchova would have a quarterfinal matchup...lets hope either of these chicks make it out the first round. Hantuchova and Dementieva have both lost the first set of their matches. Hantuchova was down a break in the second but is now on serve and Dementieva is down 2 breaks. I knew Dementieva would wilt in the Australian Open heat anyway so if she somehow claws her way out of this I can see her getting dumped easily.

Dementieva is already gone. I can't think of any comparably skilled player who loses so many matches to players outside the top 50.

Hantuchova, on the other hand, has forced a third set, as has Tatiana Golovin.

Well Hantuchova was able to overcome a set and a break down to win in 3. Golovin was not so fortunate. So the DEMENTED one and Golovin both out on day 1. The upset specials begin.

Is Venus injured? She just got bageled in the second set after an uneventful 6-2 first set,

I think part of it is movement and part of it is that this girl is playing with no fear. She is brimming with confidence, hitting the ball cleanly, keeping her errors in check, and allowing Venus to bury herself. Venus has 30+ unforced errors and Venus has never adjusted that well to rebound ace. Even flat shots bounce higher on rebound ace which I think account for adding to her unforced errors.

And Venus is gone. Unbelievable. I thought Serena's first match might be dangerous, but I don't know anything about Pironkova.

Oh damn, Venus knocked out by Pironkova 2-6, 6-0, 9-7.

Time to prep for the French.

Edited to add: My bad, JC beat me to the punch. I don't think Venus was injured. It certainly didn't look that way in that tense third set. Props to Pironkova--she took it to Venus and didn't fold under pressure.

[ January 15, 2006, 08:40 PM: Message edited by: Neptune ]

DAMN...no Venus/Justine quarter. Well I am disgusted. As a huge Venus fan I really expected more from her at this year's AO. My god...could Martina Hingis get further than Venus at this year's AO? And Serena...Na Li is no pushover. As a matter of fact...I was more worried about Serena's match than Venus'. Just another poor display of sloppy tennis from Venus but credit Pironkova for not going away after losing the first set and for keeping her nerve in that third set when lack of experience and match toughness could have gotten the better of her. Talk about a grand slam debut...taking out a 5 time grand slam champion and the 10 seed. I like this girl Pironkova. I like the way she played. Hopefully she doesn't go out next round.

I hope this makes everyone realize that Venus is never going to win the Australian Open. She simply can't adjust to the surface. The rebound ace forces her to have to create her own pace and she never did that well on it. She got to a final that one year but that was when Venus was confident, when she and her sister dominated the tour, and when the other players feared the Williams Sisters. Venus and Serena need to realize that gone are the days of breezing through the first week of a tournament and since the Aussie Open is so early in the year they should play 1 or 2 warm ups in preparation. I agree Larry...I wish I could say I'm really surprised but I'm not. Venus and Serena for the past 2 1/2 years are more of a mystery than anything. Oh well...I'm pulling for Lindsay anyway...and this opens up her draw a bit.

[ January 15, 2006, 09:09 PM: Message edited by: ltskinmdterp ]

I believe it's a type of Russian dumpling.

It is unbelievable in a sense, but nothing that Venus does surprises me in the least.

The Williamses have been so streaky the past couple of years so I shouldn't be surprised, but I am. I really thought that winning Wimbly would put Venus back on the right track, but then again I also thought that about Serena after her Aussie win. I just want to see the top players playing against each other again. It seems we just don't get great match ups anymore. There are just too many upsets. BTW, does anyone think Sharapova's outfit looks like maternity wear. Just me. Okay.

Ok I LOVED Venus' post match interview. She is so unnerved and calm and just herself. I love the sharp tongue she has on some answers and how she ended it saying "I don't care". I also liked the one question that asked:

"So Venus do you think that your loss is an indication that no one is safe on the women's side in the first week?"

Venus: "I think its an indication that you can't hit 70 unforced errors and expect to win the match."

Its the way she said it that I loved though...in that sharp tongued black woman way that only a sista can say it.

The one thing I love about both Venus and Serena is that tennis is a pit stop in their lives. Their fans take their wins and losses more emotionally than they seem to take it. They are two players in which tennis revolves around their lives instead of most other WTA players whose lives revolve around tennis. They have many other goals and interests which I think will serve them well when they are done with the game. Venus said late last year that a prom party she had for herself cuz she missed her high school prom, meant more to her than her 3rd Wimbledon win.

For her its like ok...I lost...life goes on...next! And I think thats why I'm not all that upset by her loss because I'm realizing that it is just a game and as far as I'm concerned neither has to win another match for me. They've done great and are future hall of famers and did so much for the sport. I love seeing little black boys and girls at the tennis club and out on the public courts which is something I just didn't see so much before they and James Blake entered the game.

[ January 15, 2006, 10:02 PM: Message edited by: ltskinmdterp ]

Question for you, Itskinmdterp: is it possible that Venus' outside interests might be contributing to her on-court performance (or lackthereof?) In one of your posts you note that her play was sloppy and that she hasn't been able to adapt her game to the surface Downunder, yet then you state that you admire the fact that, for her, tennis is just a "pit stop" in her life. I agree that many tennis players are way too unidimensional and that cultivating more outside interests would make them more interesting people, but don't you think that one can go too far in that direction? Maybe a more focused approach to tennis might've enabled Venus to win in Australia. And while "tennis-only" folks are boring and shortsighted, a sense of history about tennis has always been important to me. Players who understand the importance of the game and those who have excelled in it have always impressed me as true Hall of Famers. For Venus to consider a party that she threw for herself to be more important to her than her win at Wimbeldon says volumes about her and her place in tennis history, IMHO.

I think S & V need to start playing doubles with each other again, they certainly need it to sharpen up their skills. What a disappointing LOSS!!!

I agree with you Jude. To me, the worst kind of athlete is the one who squanders his/her talent (although I do admit to liking Safin despite his being perhaps the worst offender of all). As much as I dislike Venus (and Serena) personally, they have been terrific for the women's game -- when they've been there -- so it's a real pity.

And on the comeback news front, Dokic goes down (of course), but Ashley Harkleroad wins a match!! Against a player I always think of as "Feng Shui," once (still?) considered an up and comer.

The Williams' sisters have nothing to prove- they are future Hall of Famers no matter what else happens in their career.

My only disappointment is that if the sisters wish to continue playing the game, they need to take a step up. They brought a higher level of athleticism and grit to the game, but the game has evolved to match them.

If the sisters want to show that tennis results matter, they are going to have to realize that the game of tennis has evolved beyond how much Richard and Oracene can do for them.... they would need to hire different coaches...

While they have nothing to prove, I would like to see them succeed and put forth the extra effort or steps if they are going to choose to step out on the courts.

I hope there arent so many upsets on the women's side that we wind up with some quarter/semi matchups that are too easy and give one of the finalists a tremendous advantage...

I thought the match last night was riveting, especially after two hours of "24". Carillo and the man commenting last night were saying, as I expected also, that when the stakes were down, that's when the champion that Venus is comes to play. And Carillo reference a Graf reference, "Remember who you are." But Venus didn't play like the champion last night, she had no stategy, especially late in the third and she was rattled and frustrated. Sure, she may have ocme out afterwards by saying it doesn't really matter, but it was matter-ing on the court as she was losing and her reserve was empty. Champions don't show up like that. but I do love the line about not winning when you have 70 unforced errors--nothing could be truer, she knows it and her opponents know it and use it.

Didn't it seem like yesterday when we had so many American women taking turns at dominance? Remember Davenport, Capriati, Venus and Serena all hovering near the top?

Other than Davenport, this just doesn't seem to be true anymore. Davenport and Jenny aren't getting any younger, and the Williams sisters just don't seem to be getting any more interested.

Kind of sad, for women's tennis in America. frown

My nationalistic lamenting aside...

I'm kind of surprised Venus went out so early, I kind of expected that more from Serena because of her lack of conditioning. Venus didn't try to fool anyone, she came right out and said that she can't shoot herself in the foot with about 70 unforced errors. I hope this early loss makes her hungrier, but the lack of success since Wimbledon last year hasn't acted in that respect.

I really like Serena, but I'll be rooting for Hantuchova if they both make it to the 3rd. Serena and Venus just seem too much like they don't care.

And Dimentieva, although lost earlier than expected, it was brought about (in part) by something very expected....her serve. With speed and groundies like hers, she should have much better results...imagine this lady with a serve. She needs a service-overhaul.

Harkelroad beating Peng Shuai was surprising to me, after the year Peng Shuai had last year. I hope Ash is back on track and ready to move up the rankings after last year's injuries. Too bad she gets Sharpie next, but the experience will do her good.

Well I hope all the excuses offered here help Venus get over this ridiculous loss. And Serena should count herself lucky that Na Li was donating so many points. When do the sistas just fess up and admit that they're not prepared, they're not properly coached, and that their techniques are sloppy?
It's b*llshit to say that Venus and Serena are different from the rest of the WTA because they have so many other interests and that life is more than tennis. B*llshit. One more excuse for poor training and poor focus. I'm sure that many players have full enriching lives outside of tennis but they realize that this is their time to play this marvelous game and focus and discipline are what's needed...one day it'll be gone and life will be there for them. Has Serena even seen a treadmill lately? I'd say the riches and fame have dampened their love of the game and their ambition. Hasn't anyone told Serena that if she's not winning, Hollywood isn't going to be that interested?
Having said all that, I'm very disappointed that Venus lost. I was hoping to see her Wimbledon form which is such a joy to see on the tennis court. Serena does have the ability to pull out matches when she's unprepared, and hangs around and lets other players donate matches (see: Sharapova/Davenport 2005 Aussie Open) better than anyone. From Serena's play last night though, she probably won't be around for the second week. Too bad. Get to work girls, the clay season is coming.
And Venus says "I don't care." I don't believe her.

Wowm just read the interview with Venus, some tough questions and she seems to be really fed up with it at the end.

http://www.australianopen.com/en_AU/news/i...7399560665.html

But it is sort of funny too.

DAMN.

Well, this is the last time I venture a prediction about anything -- we're not even halfway through the first round and 25% of my women's quarterfinal choices are history. I should have known better that Dementieva has a lousy Australian Open record, but could anyone predict Pironkova's win?

I'm mixed about this upset. Thus far people on this board aren't giving this girl enough credit -- she did not wilt under pressure, she hits the hell out of the ball and she is consistent. Venus's unforced errors weren't as sloppy as you might think; the Serena vs. Na Li match was may more of an example of sloppy unforced errormaking on both sides. I think a lot of Venus's third set unforced errors came at the end of long rallies, and unlike little sis, she can't just dial up her serve to save her ass. This was a great match to watch, unlike Serena biting it to Craybas, or dopey Sesil K's "victory" over Venus last year.

Venus is my favorite player, yet I'm not so crushed. For one thing I really like this scrappy butch little tomboy Pironkova. The way Pironkova played she would have taken out Henin in last week's Medibank final. I hope she wins a few more, and that Safarova does something similar on the other side of the draw.

That press conference -- I LOVE Venus's final answer and her use of the word "largesse". People love to hate on the Williams' but how boring the sport would be without them. But her and Serena have always had a bad habit of not giving a victor credit, and now I think it's verging on outright denial. You cannot stay away so long, play exhibitions as tuneups and expect to dominate. A young invasion just may be happening and this might be a major turning point. If they think otherwise, they're wrong. It's past time for them to train, past time for coaching.

Look at Davenport -- it's obvious she used the time off right, she's fitter and younger looking with a new attitude if not hairdo.

One last thing, it's bad journalism the way ESPN uses Carillo to rip into (however rightfully) Venus and Serena nonstop, then has Mary Joe commentate for Sharapova when Mary Joe's husband works for the same company (IMG) that represents Sharapova. That match sounded like one long ad for Sharapova -- she even has a readymade excuse/inpirational story going into the tournament.

ltskinmdterp, your Flobee comment is hilarious. Davenport looks tough.

Whatever Venus' excuses/reasons for losing may be, it's hard for me to include her never getting used to the surface down there as one of them. Perhaps if she was playing against a truly seasoned pro who'd won a couple of Aussie Opens. But she has played there for years now and even reached a final. Her opponent was playing in her first Grand Slam match ever. To get bageled in the second set is beyond inexcusable.

And to say that Venus and Serena are the only ones with outside interests seems to be a bit too easy as well. We know they have outside interests because of all the publicity they get. We don't know the other girls well enough to know what other interests they have. And from the last few times I've seen Serena, it looks like on eof her primary outside interests is eating. Sorry if that sounds mean, but everybody jumped all over Capriati a few years ago and Navratilova even more years ago about their less than athletic figures.

For a champion of Venus' caliber to say "it doesn't matter' is disgusting and not amusing. If her heart isn't in the game, why is she even out there?

I don't see or hear Venus claiming "it doesn't matter" -- about tennis or her loss -- at any time during her press conference. She begins by admitting how disappointed she is.

She does however give a big final "I don't care" regarding what naysayers or haters claim about her. I like her defiance.

That said, what worries me is that I'm a fan and I agree with the naysayers more and more...she and Serena and going to have to step it up or this kind of thing will keep happening.

[ January 16, 2006, 05:09 PM: Message edited by: Two-hander ]

It wasn't just Dementieva's serve, her whole game (statistically, didn't see it) looks like it was a disaster. 37 unforced errors compared to 18 winners. A player of Dementieva's caliber should break Schruff more than 3 times in 10 service games--Schruff's second serve was coming in at only 114 km/hr. Her match was first thing in the morning so it wasn't all that warm. Maybe she's a player who needs a lot of match-play to stay sharp and that's why struggles in Australia?

Some of the other Russians had rather good days. I thought rumor had Sharapova still suffering, but she looked sharp and says she has no pain, so I'm thinking she may be the most likely semifinalist out of that sector. The Kooz had an easy match (of course it was an Australian wild card)--in top form she could threaten Lindsay. Petrova also had an easy match and seems a good QF bet now.

Lindsay and Justine also had good matches. It looks like Justine had her serve clicking nicely last night, though of course it's easier against an opponent who can't really punish you. Still, she wasn't babying her second serve (average speed 144 km/hr).

Well, Mary Pierce certainly demolished Nicole Pratt in a hurry--52 minutes, 6-1, 6-1. Given all the prep between points, there was probably only 5 minutes of actual tennis. If Kim's not in tip-top shape, Mary might get to lose another final.

Thank you. They have nothing else left to prove and I'm sick and tired of people saying what THEY think they should do and follow the path of "other" tennis players. Ummm...Venus and Serena are their own people and they are going to choose the path they want to go down. Are their outside interests creating too much of a distraction in their tennis? Probably. The rest of the field has caught up and its possible that they should put some things on the back burner if they are to get back to where everyone knows they can be. So unfortunately, while they don't care about the naysayers (AND THEY SHOULDN'T!...Venus basically said kiss my ass last night...GO VENUS!!) umm...its those kind of losses that continue to keep the naysayers talking about their decline.

As for Venus and Serena not understanding the importance of the game?? I don't get that. They are both in the top 20 all time female players and so the f*ck what if Venus feels that a prom she threw for herself was more important than her third Wimbledon win. Her reaction on that damn grass court after she beat Lindsay let me know how important that win was to her. Why does that take away from her place in tennis history? Its obvious people are gonna have a differing opinion on the sisters which is fine.

As for it being bullshyt to say Serena and Venus are different from the rest of the field because they have outside interests. I believe I said its one of the reasons I admire them. Because their lives revolve around tennis and vice versa. The downside...yes...it has cost them some slams, but their mark and success has already been made and again...they don't have to win another single match. Their place in history and impact is cemented. Just because they don't follow the same path others want them to doesn't take away from their accomplishments. Yes its disappointing to see these losses but shit happens. They both proved last year that they can still win slams. It is gonna have to be up to them to determine how committed they want to be to the game. I think thats the difference in how we see Lindsay Davenport who is fully committed. I don't know. I'd like to see them both 100% healthy and fit and playing the way they did a couple years ago, and it is frustrating to see them have such horrible years last year (although that head case Amelie Mauresmo I'm sure would trade all her titles for either Serena's Australian title or Venus' Wimbledon). I've just learned to deal with these losses a lot better. I did expect more from Venus but good grief...she lost...next tournament.

Ok I just have to go back to that interview because I missed the end until the replay just now when she told the reporter

"There's gonna be naysayers and you may be one of them and guess what...I don't care" ...and she got up and dipped!!!

LOVED IT!!!! I love her sharp tongue in interviews cuz she says some real smart mouthy sarcastic stuff to those reporters who ask some real stupid questions sometimes. Serena can get snappy too. LOL that was good. The only thing missing was her to snap her finger.

[ January 16, 2006, 06:46 PM: Message edited by: ltskinmdterp ]