Justine Henin Leads Draw at Qatar Telecom German Open
Posted by Aaress Lawless on May 4, 2008 | Print | Email | Bookmark | Free Subscription
World No. 1 Justine Henin’s quest for a fifth Roland Garros title will begin this week at the Qatar Telecom German Open.
The Belgian star is headlining the Tier I tournament in Berlin as the top seed, but has a tricky draw which could set her up for a thrilling quarterfinal against Serena Williams.
Henin is the Tour’s best on clay, yet Serena Williams is the best player of 2008 entered into Berlin. Three tournament titles have already been added to Williams’ career total during the first five months of the year, giving her an almost unblemished 19-1 record. The fifth seed is growing accustomed to facing Henin (especially in quarterfinals), and holds a slight 7-6 advantage in their head-to-head encounters.
Third seed Svetlana Kuznetsova has not had a stand-out start to the season, but she could turn things around with a title in Berlin. Kuznetsova has a kind draw before a potential quarterfinal against her countrywoman Anna Chakvetadze, followed by a possible semifinal meeting with Serena or Justine.
Another player who knows how crafty Justine Henin can be on clay is residing comfortably in the second half of the draw as the No. 2 seed. Ana Ivanovic played Henin last year in the final of Roland Garros and only won three games before Henin hoisted her fourth trophy in Paris. Like all the top eight seeds, Ivanovic has an opening round bye before facing either Amelie Mauresmo or Aravane Rezai.
Regardless of which Frenchwoman she faces, Ivanovic could have a tough second round match. Other players to watch in the second half of the main draw include No. 4 Jelena Jankovic, No. 7 Elena Dementieva, and unseeded Agnes Szavay.
The Qatar Telecom German Open is the first major Tier I tournament on the European clay court calendar. Ana Ivanovic, currently ranked at No. 2 in the world, defeated Svetlana Kuznetsova in last year’s final.
Other Top 10 players Maria Sharapova and Daniela Hantuchova withdrew last week.
For more information about Berlin, please visit www.qatar-german-open.org.
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Will.I.AM | May 5, 2008 | Reply
Lets go Kuznetsova!