A quartet of former champions will be in action on day one of the 2008 Australian Open, as world No. 1 Justine Henin, Serena Williams, Amelie Mauresmo, and Lindsay Davenport attempt to win their first Grand Slam matches of the 2008 tennis season.
Defending champion Serena Williams is scheduled to begin the day’s play on Rod Laver Arena, immediately followed by Justine Henin.
2007 finalist Maria Sharapova is also expected to play her opening round match against Croatia’s Jelena Kostanic Tosic.
The night session will feature Australian hopeful Alicia Molik against Estonia’s Kaia Kanepi.
Key Matches on Monday
Jarmila Gajdosova (AUS) v. Serena Williams (USA)[7]
Look for a slimmer, fitter, and more dedicated Williams to emerge by throwing down the gauntlet to Justine Henin, Lindsay Davenport, Maria Sharapova, and even sister Venus.
Pick to Win: Williams in two sets
Justine Henin (BEL)[1] v. Aiko Nakamura (JPN)
Henin has not lost a match since her meltdown in the semifinals of Wimbledon – seven months ago. Aiko Nakamura hits big, with two hands off both wings, but will not be able to take a set off Henin, who is fresh off her sixth straight title.
Pick to Win: Henin in two sets
Jelena Jankovic (SRB)[3] v. Tamira Paszek (AUT)
Tamira Paszek has one of the brightest futures on Tour, and this may be the big breakthrough the young Austrian has needed to boost her confidence and career. Jankovic nearly took herself out of contention for the Australian Open after competing in the Hopman Cup on a badly injured thigh. Expect Paszek to keep Jankovic moving and rely heavily on her backhand up the line.
Pick to Win: Tamira Paszek in three sets
Jelena Kostanic Tosic (CRO) v. Maria Sharapova (RUS)[5]
Sharapova needs to get serious with her service game here because Lindsay Davenport will not be an easy foe in the second round. The early rounds of a Grand Slam are Maria’s most vulnerable, but at least this year the heat should not be as big of a problem. If her serve is on, Sharapova will cruise past lefty Kostanic Tosic, who ended 2007 out of the Top 100.
Pick to Win: Maria Sharapova in two sets.
Lindsay Davenport (USA) v. Sara Errani (ITA)
Sara Errani may not be recognizable to most fans, but she is a familiar face to Lindsay Davenport. This will be their third meeting (all since Lindsay’s comeback), and Davenport has yet to surrender a set. Look for Davenport to dominate on serve, keep Errani off balance with punishing ground-strokes, and set up a meeting with Maria Sharapova.
Pick to Win: Lindsay Davenport in two sets
Amelie Mauresmo (FRA)[18] v. Tatiana Poutchek (BLR)
Two years removed from her memorable victory in 2006, former AO champion Amelie Mauresmo would like to forget the memories of 2007. After a year plagued by illness, injury, and poor results, Mauresmo is feeling her age and has lost her confidence – something fans hoped would be a fixture after winning two Grand Slams. She will not lose in the first round, but another run to the second week of a major appears unlikely.
Pick to Win: Amelie Mauresmo in two sets
She Said What?
Maria Sharapova on her biggest threats for the title:
“Well, obviously Justine has had, you know, an incredible year last year. You know, she’s the big favorite here, I believe. But, you know, I think that’s why you put the nets up every single morning. That’s why you have two players, not one, out there on the court. You have a chance in every single match, and so do your opponents.
But, you know, my only worry is just to take care of my business on my side of the net. You know, if I lose the match doing everything I can and giving it everything I have, then it’s a good day at the office.”
Serena Williams on Lindsay Davenport’s comeback:
“I’m speechless because she looks better than me and she’s seven months out of having a baby. I’m convinced if I had a baby, seven months later I’d probably still be in the hospital trying to get over the pain.
I mean, she is my ultimate role model. I mean, I’m really so motivated. Like she’s just taken it to a new level. Honestly, I’m really speechless.”
What Else is Happening in Melbourne?
Sony Ericsson Signs Sharapova
Sony Ericsson has signed on Sony Ericsson WTA Tour’s Maria Sharapova as the company’s first global brand ambassador.
Tracy Austin taps Justine Henin for title
Former number one Tracy Austin believes Justine Henin will extend her win streak to include the 2008 Australian Open title.
USA Television Schedule
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Early Rounds – ESPN2 – 7:00 pm (LIVE)
Monday, January 14, 2008
Early Rounds – ESPN2 – 3:30 am (LIVE)
I’ll be on the radio with WHCR’s Stephanie Stepp on Sunday at 3:15 pm ET to discuss the women’s field. You can tune in by visiting here, or call (212) 491-4685 to ask your questions on the air.
Everyone, feel free to discuss day one’s matches in the comments below. Do you agree with my picks or do you think we’ll see more upsets in the first round?
Wow you have Jankovic losing in the first round. I’m not familiar Tamira Paszek, but if you say she’s good, I’ll believe you.
Serena and Justine in the locker room at the same time? If those walls could talk…
Seriously – plus add Maria to that mix as well. Of course, with them being on the same side of the draw, it could be that way into the second week of the tournament.
I’ve watched Paszek a couple of times in the past and I was impressed. She played a tough match against Justine last season, and I’d not be surprised if Tamira puts up a good fight against Jankovic on Monday.
Aaress I agree with you on the Jelena prediction I saw her play two matches at the Hopman Cup one before she got injured and one after and she wasn’t that convincing in either of them.
Lindsay being back in the slam mix is a great thrill for me and if she plays Maria in the second round as it likely to happen I have three words to say “Bring it on”.
If I was looking for a ’shock’ then i’d go for a first round exit for Mauresmo. But I wouldnt put my house on it.
Paszek, great player.
Can’t Maria stop saying ”you know”??? O.o
Jelena is gonna have a hard time but i don’t see her lose
aaress,
What can anyone do to ask you to go to sleep in the next 3 hours ? Ok I mean to wake up 12hours later…
Ok, I’ll offer you a $1m
. Will you ?
Its so exciting to await another grandslam.
Its an ecstatic feeling here with my entire family in, waiting for the ball to start rolling…
Daxpin, one million, sure. Anything less than that, no way.
Seriously, you probably couldn’t pay me to go to sleep anytime in the next few hours! I’m like a little kid on Christmas morning when it comes to the opening day of a Grand Slam.
I had my notebook (and wireless internet) with me while going to see a friend skydive this afternoon. The DVR is ready to roll, just in case I don’t make it through the long nights for the next two weeks! Plus, I’ve already got plans for a party on the night of the women’s final.
Needless to say, I’m ready and waiting for the official start of the tennis season.
BTW, if any of you want to use this post to match-call, discuss the results, or cheer your favorite players during the night, feel free!
Aaress,
Hahahaha.I was about wiring the cash to you
Anyways, 15mins is such a long wait now…by the way, what is the time over there ? kickoff is 00.00 midnight here in London, and rather sadly, the rest of my folks are now leaving for bed.
But I can’t miss baby Serena’s start, and I ll try to watch Henin’s game b4 work later in d morning.
Can we speed the time up anyone ?
Now Dapxin, you can still send the money!
Well – we’re off!
I plan to at least hold out to see Justine, Lindsay, Serena, Maria, and Jelena. I’m still not home yet, but I’ve got AO radio streaming in the car.
Seen Serena manage to catch 1 up.
****, what on earth happened to J Jankobaby ?
Geez, she is looking so unfresh and one dimensional.
Is she gonna be the 1st upset ? I think she’ll need more than coming from the dead in this game.
Jankovic is struggling, but she’s not dead yet. Did you see match point at 5-4? Wow.
Aaress,
Magic.
Drama.
War.
This game has it all. I got moderated there with my word, my bad but this is engrossing.
Top class comeback from JJ.
This match would have been over an hour ago if one of these women could just hold serve. Paszek’s starting to look a bit tired – can’t believe she blew that one at love.