Comments on: OFF: Will Lindsay Davenport Remain the Queen of Tier III’s?

By: Michael

Michael — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:47:38 +0000

When it comes to seedings, there’s really no difference between being seeded #32 or #20–you’ll still meet one of the top 16 in the third round, and it’s just the luck of the draw if it’s #1 or #16. The important breaks are at #4, #8, #16, and #32 where you get placed into a different quarter of the draw based on the higher seeding. I think it will be tough for Lindsay to be ranked as high as #16 by Wimbledon, but it is the only Grand Slam that doesn’t seed players strictly by the rankings and uses past performance on grass as a factor. She may get a higher seeding there as a former champion and finalist. (And to my point, they seeded Venus higher than her ranking last year, but it was still only #22 or #23 so it didn’t make that big of a difference in her draw.)

By: Alice

Alice — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 10:16:45 +0000

Good question Aaress On the one hand, losing to Maria is no disgrace in view of the form Maria is in now. So I dont see that loss as a weather bell.

On the other hand, Lindsay wasnt beating the top players laterly before retirement. So what makes us think she can reverse that now?

Still, given the surprising absense of players for a teir 1 event, she could do well this week.

I only agree with Benjamin in part. I can see Lindsay beating those players on her day.

By: Richard

Richard — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 00:47:21 +0000

If Davenport can even win a Tier II, that would require plenty of retirements and pull outs.

I’ll throw in a quick Pacific Life Open prediction for her and say Round of 16 with a lenient draw, though more than likely I expect her to crash out against the first seeded player she meets.

Really, she’ll be good to go seeded around No. 20 or so by the USO. She’ll probably take the No.1 mommy title away from the slumping Bammer, but that’s the only #1 I think she can claim.

By: Suzy

Suzy — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 20:36:08 +0000

Personally, I like the way this year is panning out for tennis in general. Unexpected winners everywhere, simply good for the game.

Yes, that double bagel was interesting, seeing as
Sharapova was ranked number two then and Lindsay number one I think. But, Sharapova is showing so much fight this year that it will take more than simple talent to beat her. You must be up for it or pray she has one of her mind boggling off days.

But, it is early days yet.. will wait to see if Maria can carry this form all through the season… mind you , consistency was never her strong point.

By: Aaress

Aaress — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 06:32:01 +0000

I remember the double-bagel Davenport threw at Sharapova a few years ago and it was painful, to say the least. I’m not trying to take away from Lindsay’s victory, but it was pretty evident that Maria was having an off-day, worse even than the one she had in the 2007 Australian Open final against Serena.

Like Benjamin said, I can’t see Davenport defeating Sharapova at this point, who still is unbeaten in 2008.

By: Steve Pouliot

Steve Pouliot — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 06:13:42 +0000

I think she’d beat either Henin or Kutznetsova.

By: benjamin

benjamin — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 05:55:40 +0000

No chance for Davenport to beat Sharapova now or in the future if they meet. The 6-0 6-0 drubbing was a long time ago. The ‘08 Sharapova is in a league of her own. Davenport can win some bigger tournament, but she must not meet Sharapova, Henin, Serena, Ivanovic, Dementieva, Kutznetsova.

By: pov

pov — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 05:39:38 +0000

Interesting. I just checked Davenport’s H2H against Sharapova. 5 meetings before AO 2008 with one victory - at IW.

2005 INDIAN WELLS L. DAVENPORT 6-0 6-0

By: Aaress

Aaress — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 04:48:12 +0000

The Pacific Life Open could be a great opportunity for Lindsay, Steve. With the absence of the Williams sisters and Justine, she’ll have an excellent chance of pulling off her first major comeback win.

By: Steve Pouliot

Steve Pouliot — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 04:39:28 +0000

I’m not gonna back down but you sure make some excellent points Aaress. Maybe she won’t get that high but she’ll do real well at pacific life,sony and on grass. I then think Lindsay will continue to do well leading up to the open.