Ana Ivanovic Leads 2008 Pacific Life Open Main Draw
Posted by Aaress Lawless on Mar 10, 2008 | Print | Email | Bookmark | Free Subscription
The draw for the 2008 Pacific Life Open has been announced with world No. 2 Ana Ivanovic leading the field as top seed.
Svetlana Kuznetsova is second seed followed by Jelena Jankovic, Maria Sharapova, and 2007 defending champion Daniela Hantuchova.
Projected Paths of Title Favorites
Ana Ivanovic (1)
First Round: Ioana Raluca Olaru or Meng Yuan
Ana Ivanovic has the honor of being the top seed at the Pacific Life Open for the first time in her career. The young Serbian received a good draw and will most likely face her first seeded opponent, France’s Tathiana Garbin, in the third round. Two Italians, Francesca Schiavone or Flavia Pennetta, could give her a tough quarterfinal, but Ivanovic is the heavy favorite to reach the semifinals from the first quarter of the draw.
Svetlana Kuznetsova (2)
First Round: Ekaterina Makarova or Meilen Tu
Despite her status as a solid hard court player, the desert conditions at Indian Wells have never brought out the best in Kuznetsova’s game. Ranked at No. 4 last season, she did reach the final before mentally collapsing against Daniela Hantuchova in two sets. Kuznetsova should have an easy couple of rounds, before setting up a potential round of sixteen meeting with China’s Na Li. Li needs a few big wins before heading to the Beijing Olympics, and if she plays aggressively, she could score a major upset over the second seed.
Jelena Jankovic (3)
First Round: Ahsha Rolle or Madison Brengle
Jelena’s plan to reduce her schedule must have been thrown out the window because she will head into Indian Wells after four straight weeks of play. Jankovic could face a tough opening round match against American wild cards Ahsha Rolle or Madison Brengle. Rolle reached the third round at Indian Wells last year before retiring with an injury against sixth seed Nicole Vaidisova.
Maria Sharapova (4)
First Round: Lilia Osterloh or a qualifier
Maria Sharapova is the biggest title favorite, as she heads into the tournament undefeated in 2008. She played some of the best tennis of her career at the Australian Open and backed it up by winning the Tier I Qatar Total Open two weeks ago. A part-time California resident, Sharapova won the title at Indian Wells in 2006. Her draw places her in the same section as former world No. 1 Amelie Mauresmo, who could face Sharapova in the fourth round.
Daniela Hantuchova (5)
First Round: Angela Haynes or Sara Errani
Because of the absence of Justine Henin and the Williams sisters, a surprise champion might emerge at the end of the fortnight. Last season it was Daniela Hantuchova who hoisted the trophy for the second time. The defending champion is in a tough section of the draw, full of dangerous floaters including Shahar Peer, Sania Mirza, and last week’s story headline, Akgul Amanmuradova from Uzbekistan.
Amelie Mauresmo (17)
First Round: Edina Gallovits or Yvonne Meusburger
Mauresmo recently admitted that she contemplated retirement after her disappointing 2007 season, but a title at Indian Wells would banish all thoughts of quitting from her mind. It will not be easy for the two-time Grand Slam champion with the presence of Maria Sharapova in her eighth of the draw. Mauresmo has scored three wins over Sharapova in the past, but their last meeting at the 2006 US Open ended in Sharapova’s favor after two mind-boggling bagel sets 6-0, 4-6, 6-0.
Lindsay Davenport (24)
Much has changed in Lindsay Davenport’s life since she sat in ESPN’s commentary booth last year at Indian Wells. She gave birth to a son, Jagger Jonathan Leach, successfully returned to the Tour, and won four new singles titles. A six-time Pacific Life Open finalist, Davenport loves her home courts in California. Regardless of her low seeding, the two-time champion is a player to watch in the draw. Ironically, Davenport may play the Tour’s other famous mother, Sybille Bammer, in the third round. Bammer reached the semifinals at Indian Wells last season before losing to Svetlana Kuznetsova.
To view an updated copy of the 2008 Pacific Life Open main draw, please visit the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour website.
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NIck | Mar 11, 2008 | Reply
The Williams Sisters continue their boycott of the tournament while Henin is lazy to play.
That isn’t good news…guess there’s always Roadmap 3030.
Richard | Mar 11, 2008 | Reply
…And another title for Maria Sharapova!
Steve Pouliot | Mar 11, 2008 | Reply
I agree - Maria’s the winner!!!!
Steve Pouliot | Mar 12, 2008 | Reply
P.S. I sure like Lindsay’s draw to the semis.
rc | Mar 13, 2008 | Reply
good tennis
rc
trading tennis blog
Alicia | Mar 13, 2008 | Reply
Svetlana Kuznetsova is looking good.
Her and Amelie Mauresmo make a great doubles pair.