Comments on: First Look: The 2009 Australian Open Main Draw http://www.onthebaseline.com/2009/01/16/first-look-the-2009-australian-open-main-draw/ Women's Professional Tennis News, Results, and Commentary Mon, 30 Jan 2012 01:59:18 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Nzau http://www.onthebaseline.com/2009/01/16/first-look-the-2009-australian-open-main-draw/comment-page-1/#comment-38408 Nzau Sun, 18 Jan 2009 06:37:12 +0000 http://www.onthebaseline.com/2009/01/16/first-look-the-2009-australian-open-main-draw/#comment-38408 Whoever wins the Q.F between Venus and Dementieva,will win the A.O! Whoever wins the Q.F between Venus and Dementieva,will win the A.O!

]]> By: Dapxin http://www.onthebaseline.com/2009/01/16/first-look-the-2009-australian-open-main-draw/comment-page-1/#comment-38407 Dapxin Sun, 18 Jan 2009 03:28:36 +0000 http://www.onthebaseline.com/2009/01/16/first-look-the-2009-australian-open-main-draw/#comment-38407 I just know never to mis-underestimate Serena. But Jankovic needs one badly. As for Justine, No! she took the call. Only the ones can be the ones. I just know never to mis-underestimate Serena.

But Jankovic needs one badly.

As for Justine, No! she took the call. Only the ones can be the ones.

]]> By: Alice http://www.onthebaseline.com/2009/01/16/first-look-the-2009-australian-open-main-draw/comment-page-1/#comment-38406 Alice Sat, 17 Jan 2009 23:29:15 +0000 http://www.onthebaseline.com/2009/01/16/first-look-the-2009-australian-open-main-draw/#comment-38406 Who knows, but I think that unknown factor is precisely what should make for a fascinating two weeks. Who knows, but I think that unknown factor is precisely what should make for a fascinating two weeks.

]]> By: Aaress Lawless http://www.onthebaseline.com/2009/01/16/first-look-the-2009-australian-open-main-draw/comment-page-1/#comment-38405 Aaress Lawless Sat, 17 Jan 2009 21:17:31 +0000 http://www.onthebaseline.com/2009/01/16/first-look-the-2009-australian-open-main-draw/#comment-38405 Alice, the Williams sisters do add a considerable level of strength to the draw, but if you take them out of the picture, there are not exactly other pillars of strength in the draw. For example, it would be a surprise to see Serena or Venus fall in the third round or so. But, if say Jankovic or Elena were knocked out, would it be equally as surprising? Kurt, thanks for the clarification. I do think Jankovic needs to win a major this season. The French would likely be her best shot, especially as Venus, Maria, and to an extent, Serena struggle on clay. <blockquote> just wondering: how often in the past have “lower ranked” players come out to win a tournament when two of the major players are withdrawn and then, have the new winners remained a top player…or do they stay in the lower rankings? </blockquote> Excellent question! I took a look at the winners of the past couple of years, and not counting Serena Williams' Australian Open title in 2006 and Venus Williams' Wimbledon title in 2007, the last big surprises came in 2004 when the Russian players---Anastasia Myskina, Maria Sharapova, and Svetlana Kuznetsova---won Grand Slams. I didn't count the Williams sisters victories because although they were ranked low, they had already achieved a significant measure of success. In the case of the Russians, Anastasia Myskina never went on to win anything major again. She was ranked at No. 5 at the time of winning the French Open, but it was still a surprise. Svetlana Kuznetsova won a few months later at the US Open, but sadly again, has never won another Grand Slam, despite reaching a few big finals. Sharapova is the exception. Her career literally took off overnight after beating Serena Williams in the 2004 Wimbledon Championships, but it did take her another two years before she won another major tournament. Perhaps someone else can cite a better example than these of a player truly coming out of nowhere to win a title? Alice, the Williams sisters do add a considerable level of strength to the draw, but if you take them out of the picture, there are not exactly other pillars of strength in the draw. For example, it would be a surprise to see Serena or Venus fall in the third round or so. But, if say Jankovic or Elena were knocked out, would it be equally as surprising?

Kurt, thanks for the clarification. I do think Jankovic needs to win a major this season. The French would likely be her best shot, especially as Venus, Maria, and to an extent, Serena struggle on clay.

just wondering: how often in the past have “lower ranked” players come out to win a tournament when two of the major players are withdrawn and then, have the new winners remained a top player…or do they stay in the lower rankings?

Excellent question! I took a look at the winners of the past couple of years, and not counting Serena Williams’ Australian Open title in 2006 and Venus Williams’ Wimbledon title in 2007, the last big surprises came in 2004 when the Russian players—Anastasia Myskina, Maria Sharapova, and Svetlana Kuznetsova—won Grand Slams. I didn’t count the Williams sisters victories because although they were ranked low, they had already achieved a significant measure of success.

In the case of the Russians, Anastasia Myskina never went on to win anything major again. She was ranked at No. 5 at the time of winning the French Open, but it was still a surprise. Svetlana Kuznetsova won a few months later at the US Open, but sadly again, has never won another Grand Slam, despite reaching a few big finals.

Sharapova is the exception. Her career literally took off overnight after beating Serena Williams in the 2004 Wimbledon Championships, but it did take her another two years before she won another major tournament.

Perhaps someone else can cite a better example than these of a player truly coming out of nowhere to win a title?

]]> By: Kurt http://www.onthebaseline.com/2009/01/16/first-look-the-2009-australian-open-main-draw/comment-page-1/#comment-38404 Kurt Sat, 17 Jan 2009 20:28:32 +0000 http://www.onthebaseline.com/2009/01/16/first-look-the-2009-australian-open-main-draw/#comment-38404 Just for clarification, Clijsters needed more than two years before she won her sole singles grand slam and Mauresmo took a year and a few months before Henin(-Hardenne, at the time) retired to give her the championship. I do agree that Jankovic will not need quite so much time. I look to the French for her to triumph. Just for clarification, Clijsters needed more than two years before she won her sole singles grand slam and Mauresmo took a year and a few months before Henin(-Hardenne, at the time) retired to give her the championship. I do agree that Jankovic will not need quite so much time. I look to the French for her to triumph.

]]> By: The 2009 Australian Open Women’s Main Draw - On the Baseline Tennis News http://www.onthebaseline.com/2009/01/16/first-look-the-2009-australian-open-main-draw/comment-page-1/#comment-38403 The 2009 Australian Open Women’s Main Draw - On the Baseline Tennis News Sat, 17 Jan 2009 18:19:10 +0000 http://www.onthebaseline.com/2009/01/16/first-look-the-2009-australian-open-main-draw/#comment-38403 [...] the Baseline will publish a comprehensive look at the four quarters of the women’s draw tomorrow. In the meanwhile, you can view a copy of the complete draw at [...] [...] the Baseline will publish a comprehensive look at the four quarters of the women’s draw tomorrow. In the meanwhile, you can view a copy of the complete draw at [...]

]]> By: Rhonda http://www.onthebaseline.com/2009/01/16/first-look-the-2009-australian-open-main-draw/comment-page-1/#comment-38397 Rhonda Sat, 17 Jan 2009 05:48:54 +0000 http://www.onthebaseline.com/2009/01/16/first-look-the-2009-australian-open-main-draw/#comment-38397 just wondering: how often in the past have "lower ranked" players come out to win a tournament when two of the major players are withdrawn and then, have the new winners remained a top player...or do they stay in the lower rankings? just wondering: how often in the past have “lower ranked” players come out to win a tournament when two of the major players are withdrawn and then, have the new winners remained a top player…or do they stay in the lower rankings?

]]> By: ichuse2 http://www.onthebaseline.com/2009/01/16/first-look-the-2009-australian-open-main-draw/comment-page-1/#comment-38394 ichuse2 Sat, 17 Jan 2009 02:16:44 +0000 http://www.onthebaseline.com/2009/01/16/first-look-the-2009-australian-open-main-draw/#comment-38394 This is how I see it. Jelena Jankovic d. Vera Zvonareva Dinara Safina d. Ivonovic Venus Williams d. Elena Dementieva Serena Williams d. Agnieszka Radwanska Semifinals Dinara Safina d. Jelena Jankovic Venus Williams d. Serena Williams Championship Match Venus Williams d. Dinara Safina This is how I see it.

Jelena Jankovic d. Vera Zvonareva
Dinara Safina d. Ivonovic
Venus Williams d. Elena Dementieva
Serena Williams d. Agnieszka Radwanska

Semifinals
Dinara Safina d. Jelena Jankovic
Venus Williams d. Serena Williams

Championship Match
Venus Williams d. Dinara Safina

]]> By: Alice http://www.onthebaseline.com/2009/01/16/first-look-the-2009-australian-open-main-draw/comment-page-1/#comment-38391 Alice Fri, 16 Jan 2009 22:35:34 +0000 http://www.onthebaseline.com/2009/01/16/first-look-the-2009-australian-open-main-draw/#comment-38391 From my perspective Aaress, i'm not looking as far ahead as Jankovic. But I respectfully disagree about the tournament looking weak. Justine made her choice. A tournament with both Williams sisters is demonstrably strong. Even if they clash well before the final. There are lots of talented rising stars. it is perfect opportunity for them to make their mark. Or for a more seasoned player on the magins to become the story of the tournament. We shall see. Enjoy!! From my perspective Aaress, i’m not looking as far ahead as Jankovic.

But I respectfully disagree about the tournament looking weak. Justine made her choice.

A tournament with both Williams sisters is demonstrably strong. Even if they clash well before the final. There are lots of talented rising stars. it is perfect opportunity for them to make their mark. Or for a more seasoned player on the magins to become the story of the tournament. We shall see. Enjoy!!

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