Four berths remain in the quarterfinals of the 2008 Australian Open, with Ana Ivanovic, Venus Williams, Daniela Hantuchova, and Nadia Petrova favored to advance on Monday afternoon.
Standing in the way of the four top seeds is Maria Kirilenko, Agnieszka Radwanska, Caroline Wozniacki, and Marta Domachowska.
All four of the challengers mentioned previously are making their debut in the fourth round of the Australian Open. One of them, Caroline Wozniacki, is playing in her first main draw at Melbourne, while Domachowska is the last remaining qualifier in the field.
Fourth Round Matches on Monday
Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) v. Ana Ivanovic (SRB)[4]
Now that fans have recovered from the blockbuster 36-hour weekend marathon of tennis, they will be expecting to see more competitive matches from the sleepy bottom half of the draw. Ivanovic vs. Wozniacki could have the potential of getting the crowd pumped up, but I expect Ivanovic holds too much firepower to go down to the seventeen-year old newcomer from Denmark.
Pick to Win: Ana Ivanovic in two sets
Venus Williams (USA)[8] v. Marta Domachowska (POL)
Venus Williams is enjoying one of her best Grand Slam draws in recent years. She has yet to drop a set, although Sania Mirza did give her a scare or two in the third round. Her reward for downing the Indian star was an almost unheard-of fourth round meeting with a player ranked barely inside the Top 150. An upset in the making? Hardly.
Pick to Win: Venus Williams in two quick sets
Maria Kirilenko (RUS)[27] v. Daniela Hantuchova (SVK)[9]
The other Maria is showing that there may be more similarities to her countrywoman than a name and hair color. Kirilenko will be turning twenty-one in a few days, and the best birthday present she could give herself is a spot in her first Grand Slam quarterfinal. Hantuchova was forced to double-up and play singles and doubles yesterday because of the rain, so fatigue could possibly come into the picture on Monday.
Pick to Win: Daniela Hantuchova in three sets
Nadia Petrova (RUS)[14] v. Agnieszka Radwanska (POL)[29]
It’s hard to imagine that the most intriguing match of the day would center around Nadia Petrova, but it’s true, this is the one to watch. Petrova’s confidence was virtually nonexistent heading into the tournament, and now she is only two sets away from a quarterfinal.
Looking ahead at the draw, I like Petrova’s chance of reaching the semifinals if she can down giant-killer Radwanska. A week ago, this would have sounded ludicrous after Petrova’s back-to-back first round losses to start the season, but now, the best player to never reach a Grand Slam final may come tantalizingly close to her first Championship match.
Pick to Win: Nadia Petrova in three sets
She Said What?
Serena Williams about not having to play Venus in the quarterfinals:
“At the end of the day, I never really get upset at whoever I play because I’m totally fine. As long as I’m not playing Venus in the quarters, it doesn’t matter to me. Eventually you’re going to have to play everyone else. If Venus wasn’t my sister, then I wouldn’t care. Just because she’s my sister, I prefer to play her in the later rounds.”
Jelena Jankovic on her upcoming quarterfinal match with Serena:
“I know that I can lift up my game. Each match is different and special, and you prepare in a different way.
So I know that against her I have to come up with a lot better level of tennis, and I have to go for my shots and try to be very accurate, and also serve well, it’s very important, it will be the key. So we will see. You know, I’ve beaten her a few times. I know how I have to play. But I know that I have to play really, really great tennis if I want to win because she’s a strong girl. She’s stronger than me twice – twice my size. So I have to be – it’s not so easy.
Sometimes I feel like she’s going to blow me off the court. But I have to stay there and play my game and go for the win.”
What Else is Happening in Melbourne
Tennis meets football
Ana Ivanovic met with David Neitz, captain of Melbourne Football Club, the oldest Aussie rules football club.
Players slapped with fines
Jelena Jankovic and Serena Williams have received substantial fines for on-court coaching and verbal obscenities.
USA Television Schedule
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Round of Sixteen – ESPN2 – 7:00 pm (LIVE)
Monday, January 21, 2008
Round of Sixteen – ESPN2 – 3:30 am (LIVE)
Be sure to check the image slideshow on the home page and the updated video clips here.
