Australian Open Preview: Day Five

Amelie Mauresmo’s life changed when she won the Australian Open and Wimbledon two years ago, only to have her career threatened in 2007 by injuries and illness.

Mauresmo has a chance to get a solid start to the new season by reaching the second week of play, but first she’ll have to get past a talented Aussie, determined to make her mark on this year’s event.

Friday’s night session at the Australian Open is scheduled to include Mauresmo’s third round match against rising star Casey Dellacqua. Friday’s afternoon matches will feature among others Justine Henin, Jelena Jankovic, Maria Sharapova, and Serena Williams.

Key Matches on January 18

Justine Henin (BEL)[1] v. Francesca Schiavone (ITA)[25]
Justine Henin has been playing good tennis, but she has not been playing dazzling tennis. Henin admits that the opening rounds of a major are not her favorite, and although she has only lost once before the fourth round in Melbourne, she is not invincible, especially against a player as fast and comfortable at the net as Schiavone.
Pick to Win: Justine Henin in three sets

Amelie Mauresmo (FRA)[18] v. Casey Dellacqua (AUS)
Both women head into tonight’s night session with a lot at stake. Mauresmo needs a quick win to boost her fledging confidence, and Dellacqua will become the new Australian No. 1 if she can upset the 2006 champion. Casey will have the full support of the raucous Aussie crowd, pulling for her to become their next big hope in a country devoid of singles stars.
Pick to Win: Amelie Mauresmo in two sets

Elena Vesnina (RUS) v. Maria Sharapova (RUS)[5]
Maria and Elena proved to be good bench buddies during Russia’s Fed Cup victory last fall, and no doubt, Maria was grateful to Vesnina for helping make her feel at home, instead of the third wheel. Still, business is business, especially for the game’s most marketable athlete, so expect Vesnina to be pushed out of the tournament in two quick sets.
Pick to Win: Maria Sharapova in two sets

Elena Dementieva (RUS)[11] v. Shahar Peer (ISR)[17]
Two-time Grand Slam finalist Elena Dementieva has been flying under the radar this week, although her results have been solid. She needed three sets to get past Spain’s Anabel Medina Garrigues in the second round, but Dementieva posted an amazing 84% first serve percentage, with zero double-faults. If she continues to play this well, look for Dementieva to give Maria Sharapova a battle in the fourth round.
Pick to Win: Elena Dementieva in three sets

She Said What?

Sania Mirza on her upcoming match against Venus Williams:
“I’m just going to go for it. I have nothing to lose. I’m very excited, actually, to play Venus. I think the last time I played her was in Stanford a couple years ago, and I haven’t played her since. And obviously I feel like I’m playing well, and I’m playing better tennis than I was a couple of years ago. And so is she.”

Venus Williams about playing doubles with Serena:
“We’re very serious about the doubles. We love doubles. Recent years we haven’t been lucky, so we’re like, Okay, let’s get through the singles. But we love playing with each other. Nothing like playing with Serena. It’s like playing with myself. So it’s amazing.

And we love winning the titles. I mean, when we were playing doubles, we were racking them up. Grand Slam titles are wonderful things to have. We hope we get to play more. We definitely are going to try to play a lot this year.”

What Else is Happening in Melbourne

Australian top spot beckons Dellacqua
Should she beat Amelie Mauresmo tonight, Casey Dellacqua will assume the Australian No. 1 ranking.

Court wants to help Molik
Australian Grand Slam legend Margaret Court has offered to help Alicia Molik.

Chalk another one up to the rumor mill
Venus Williams says that she is not engaged to boyfriend Hank Kuehne.

Melbourne aims to keep Australian Open
Government officials in Victoria plan to ensure that Melbourne will continue to host the Australian Open past 2016.

USA Television Schedule

Thursday, January 17, 2008
Early Rounds - ESPN2 - 9:00 pm (LIVE)

Friday, January 18, 2008
Early Rounds - ESPN2 - 3:30 am (LIVE)

Everyone, feel free to discuss your picks for day five’s matches in the comments below. Also, be sure to check the image slideshow on the home page and the updated video clips here.

If you enjoyed this tennis article, please sign up for a free subscription!