Venus and Serena Williams will launch their 2009 Australian Open campaigns on day two of the season’s first Grand Slam.
The bottom half of the women’s draw will hit the courts at Melbourne Park on Tuesday.
Three-time Australian Open champion Serena Williams is scheduled to highlight the afternoon’s session on the main stadium court as she takes on Meng Yuan of China. Samantha Stosur will have an opportunity to dazzle her home crowd in the night session when she plays Klara Zakopalova.
Tuesday’s Matches to Follow
Mara Santangelo (ITA) v. Flavia Pennetta (ITA)[12]
The draw proved unkind to Fed Cup teammates Mara Santangelo and Flavia Pennetta. The Italian duo helped lead their nation to the trophy in 2006 after outlasting an injured Justine Henin and the Belgian squad in the final round.
Pennetta had a rough season in 2007, but last year she stormed back with a vengeance, ending the year just outside the Top 10. As the top seed in Hobart this month, she was beaten in the second round, although she recovered to win the doubles trophy with Gisela Dulko.
Pick: Flavia Pennetta in three sets
Nicole Vaidisova (CZE) v. Severine Bremond (FRA)
Two seasons ago, sixteen-year-old Nicole Vaidisova played some of the best tennis of her young career to reach the semifinals. Initially heralded as the next Maria Sharapova, time would sadly beg to differ as Vaidisova routinely struggled with inconsistency and erratic results.
She is now ranked at No. 52 and has only won two matches since August. Vaidisova returns to the site of one of her best runs, desperately needing to rekindle the form that led her to a career-high of No. 7. She lost to Bremond in the second round of the US Open last season and if she does not start aggressively, remain cool-headed in the hot Australian sun, and mix up her shots against the agile Frenchwoman, she will again exit early at a major.
Pick: Severine Bremond in three sets
Elena Baltacha (GBR) v. Anna-Lena Groenefeld (GER)
The United Kingdom had a terrible day on Monday as three of its four players exited in the first round. Their lone survivor in the draw is Elena Baltacha, who last reached the main draw of the Australian Open in 2005.
One of the best untold comeback stories of 2008 was Anna-Lena Groenefeld. She started the year outside the Top 200, but recovered to put her career back on the upswing for a season-ending ranking of No. 77. If Groenefeld can keep her momentum going, I would look for her to be a player to watch not only at the Australian Open, but for the rest of the season.
Pick: Anna-Lena Groenefeld in two sets
Stories You Might Have Missed From Melbourne
Sources: Ivanovic-Verdasco relationship ends
French Open champion Ana Ivanovic has ended her romantic relationship with Spanish player Fernando Verdasco, FOXSports.com has learned.
Aussie tennis player Dokic says she “cracked” at 19
Australia’s Jelena Dokic said Monday she “cracked” when she was 19 and at the top of her game, blaming her downfall largely to the controversies caused by her now estranged father Damir.
Marion’s Melbourne Blog
Fierce and focused on the court, calm and classy off the court. France’s Marion Bartoli brings us the latest Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Blog from Down Under.
Discussion Question of the Day
The Sony Ericsson WTA Tour has made the decision to allow on-court coaching at its tournaments throughout the 2009 season. Should the International Tennis Federation follow the Tour’s example and permit coaches to talk to their players during matches at Grand Slams?
Everyone, feel free to discuss Tuesday’s matches in the comments below. Enjoy the tennis!
go Baltacha! do it for Scotland!
Excellent win by Baltacha, Venusfan! What do you think about her chances in the next round against Amelie Mauresmo?
I think she stands a great chance. Keeping her confidence high through out will be the key.