Madrid Championships Line-up Complete, Venus Williams Withdraws
Posted by Aaress Lawless on Oct 28, 2007 | Print
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The field for the 2007 Sony Ericsson Championships is complete, with Justine Henin set to lead a stellar lineup of eight of the best tennis players in the world.
The last two berths were confirmed on Sunday as Daniela Hantuchova and Maria Sharapova were added to the singles field. Ironically, Hantuchova and Sharapova were both tied for the final berth after Hantuchova won the Generali Ladies Linz in Austria on Sunday, but because of Venus Williams’ withdrawal, both women are now headed to Madrid as a competitor, not an alternate.
Shortly after she lost in the semifinals at the US Open, Venus Williams sought medical attention for dizziness that was affecting her performance. Based upon the advice of her physicians, she has ended her season early by pulling out of the Championships, in hopes of returning healthy in January.
Sony Ericsson Championships Singles Roster*
Justine Henin
Jelena Jankovic
Svetlana Kuznetsova
Ana Ivanovic
Serena Williams
Anna Chakvetadze
Daniela Hantuchova
Maria Sharapova
Sony Ericsson Championships Doubles Roster*
Cara Black and Liezel Huber
Chia-Jung Chuang and Yung-Jan Chan
Ai Sugiyama and Katarina Srebotnik
Kveta Peschke and Rennae Stubbs
*Player list subject to change
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Chris | Oct 29, 2007 | Reply
The funny thing is that the only other player who goes into this YEC aside from Justine Henin with any confidence or refreshed feeling is Hantuchova.
- Jankovic has lost three matches in a row, and would have lost to Petrova instead of Justine in Stuttgart had Petrova not gotten injured, plus she’s tired.
- Kuznetsova retired in Zurich, so she’s probably not too healthy, especially after how terrible she played against Serena in Moscow.
- Ivanovic has won one match since winning Luxembourg and lost to K. Bondarenko and Golovin pretty badly in a row.
- Sharapova’s coming to the YEC with a bum shoulder and two bad losses in a row with zero match fitness.
- Chakvetadze has only beaten two players in her last six matches since her meltdown in the USO semifinal. She’s said herself she doesn’t know what’s up with her game after getting blown off the court by Schnyder.
- Serena’s won two games in the last four sets she’s played. She’s out of form and not playing well at all.
Of course, any and maybe each could come into the YEC and play great tennis, but only two players out of the eight come here NOT injured or slumping, confident, match fit, and refreshed.
I hope Hantuchova, a big favorite of mine, can make the semifinals or even finals to cap off a wonderful year.
Nick | Oct 29, 2007 | Reply
GO MARIA SHARAPOVA!
Nick | Oct 29, 2007 | Reply
Well, at least Hantuchova won something other then Indian Wells, I hope she works up her game and fitness and contend with the others. A few years ago I really thought she would be the new name of tennis but as we’ve seen she’s just one of the dark horses.
It’s the Championship and beside from Henin, the rest looks like they need to win this thing badly to build confidence into 2008. Regarless of the result, Henin already played the best season of her career and ended No. 1 so I don’t think she’ll be too sad if she fails to win here. Then again, she’s defending it so who knows. Henin wants to win every tournament she plays.
Venusfan | Oct 29, 2007 | Reply
that ***** about Vee. they might aswell hand Henin the title now, coz Venus was her only real challenge, in my opinion. but her health should come first. gee, i hope its nothing serious. incedentally, what would have happened if Venus hadnt have pulled out, would Sharapva have got the last place since she got as many points as Hantchova from less then half the number of tournaments? or does it not work like that?
Aaress | Oct 29, 2007 | Reply
Actually, if it had remained a tie between Sharapova and Hantuchova, Hantuchova would have qualified. The determining factor is the amount of tournaments played and Daniela played about twice as much as Maria this season.
In other words, Venus Williams’ withdrawal was Maria Sharapova’s ticket into Madrid.
Richard | Oct 29, 2007 | Reply
Aaress, I think that whoever came up with that logic is ridiculous. Clearly, Sharapova is the better player having played 12 tournaments and matching points with Hantuchova’s 26. Hantuchova played twice more than Sharapova in order to acheive the same number of points, yet they say she should qualify? All power to her for being a workhorse, but it just doesn’t make sense to me. They should take the pts earned per tourney and determine the winner in a tie.
With that said, Venus withdrawing ***** big time. I hope Sharapova wins this one to revive some interest in the seriously lagging state of women’s tennis. Like Chris mentioned, all the top women are comnpletely bummed out. Everything past Wimbledon this year has been pretty mediocre, from my viewpoints, though Golovin has been interesting to watch.
Aaress | Oct 29, 2007 | Reply
Richard - it’s really a catch-22 situation between Maria and Daniela. On one hand, when it comes down to winning percentages, Maria was more successful than Daniela. She played half the events and still tied her in points.
BUT . . .
What matters more - winning percentages or winning titles? Remember, Sharapova only has 1 Tier (Acura Classic) to Hantuchova’s major Tier I (Pacific Life Open) and new Tier II titles.
I just hope Serena Williams turns up in Madrid healthy and with her competitive fires burning. If not, it will be a no-contest as Henin will waltz her way to the title.
Unless Jelena Jankovic miraculously turns up at 100% energy and Sharapova’s shoulder is healed, Serena is the only woman capable of giving Justine Henin a tough run for the title.
Louise | Oct 30, 2007 | Reply
Huntuchova has no chance! Kuznetsova all the way!
Cory | Oct 31, 2007 | Reply
I am so dissapointed to not be able to watch Venus play in the championships this year. I have been a huge fan of hers for the longest time and I was so happy to see her playing unbelievable tennis and to come back from an injury and win a slam in the same year. That’s very impressive.
I really wanted to see her play in the championships because I really believe she could’ve made the final to play either Henin or Serena. Out of the 2,4,6, & 7 category there would have been no real competition for her. We’ve all seen how she can dismantle Anna Chakvetadze and Ana Ivanovic. Jelena would’ve been a tough openent for her but Venus showed the world that she can still put up a fight against her at the US Open and win.
Venus and Jelena would’ve come out of that bracket along with Serena and Justine out of the other. I ultimately belived Venus would’ve taken the title but hopefully she comes into 2008 refreshed and outstanding to win some slams and get back into the Top 4 in the world.
The other four I believe are way too overrated and can not compete with the four of them.
Don’t get me wrong they’re great tennis players but Kuznetsova, Ana Ivanovic, Anna Chakvetadze and especially Daniela Hantuchova are going to be no where near legend status by any means.