Australian Open Preview: Day Six

Poland’s Agnieszka Radwanska, who beat defending champion Maria Sharapova at the US Open in 2007, will play second seed Svetlana Kuznetsova on Saturday at the Australian Open.

Two of tennis’ biggest celebrities, Venus Williams and Sania Mirza, are headlining the night session.

Other stars to watch on Saturday include Ana Ivanovic, Anna Chakvetadze, and Daniela Hantuchova.

Key Matches on Saturday

Agnieszka Radwanska (POL)[29] v. Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS)[2]
Pet rats and all, Agnieszka Radwanksa is one of the most charming younger players on the Tour. Kuznetsova has been consistent this week, but expect her to drop a few games to the Polish baseliner.
Pick to Win: Svetlana Kuznetsova in two sets

Venus Williams (USA)[8] v. Sania Mirza (IND)[31]
Sania Mirza hits with a lot of power, but she’ll be up against one of the original Big Babes of tennis in tonight’s night session. Add to that Mirza’s off-court woes, lawsuits, and mental strain and you have a recipe for a quick Williams win.
Pick to Win: Venus Williams in two sets

Lindsay Davenport (USA)/Daniela Hantuchova (SVK) v. Gabriela Navratilova (CZE)/Klara Zakopalova (CZE)
Lindsay Davenport might have lost in the second round, but she is still hanging around the locker room at the Australian Open. Her wise choice of a partner may keep her in Melbourne for another several days, as Daniela Hantuchova completed the mixed doubles Grand Slam in 2005.
Pick to Win: Davenport and Hantuchova in two sets

She Said What?

Justine Henin on her hip-hop lessons:
“My fitness coach gives hip hop lessons. We just started. Just for fun sometimes we do it. It’s just my relaxing time in preparation. An hour a week we do some hip hop. I’m so bad, but I want to improve, so that’s good.”

Justine Henin about whether she’ll ever hip-hop on court after winning a match:
“Never. Don’t dream.”

Jelena Jankovic on her mother’s warning for on-court coaching: “I think was wrong because my mom - you know, my mom is just supporting over there in my box. She just said, C’mon in Serbian. I don’t know what else she said afterwards. My coach is sitting right there next to her and he was very quiet. He’s the one that’s supposed to coach me and he wasn’t saying anything.

I mean, it was umpire’s decision, but it was not right because she doesn’t understand what my mom told me in Serbian. She didn’t coach me, so I don’t think that’s a coaching violation, whatever it’s called. I never received something like that before.”

What Else is Happening in Melbourne

Taiwanese player debuts in the round of sixteen
Hsieh Su-wei is the first player from Taiwan to reach the fourth round at a Grand Slam.

Record breaking crowds attend Australian Open
The Australian Open has set a new Grand Slam attendance record.

USA Television Schedule

Friday, January 18, 2008
Early Rounds - ESPN2 - 10:00 pm (LIVE)

Saturday, January 19, 2008
Early Rounds - ESPN2 - 3:30 am (LIVE)

Be sure to check the image slideshow on the home page and the updated video clips here.

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