The Australian Open draw was again shaken up in the night session as seeds Ana Ivanovic and Caroline Wozniacki were beaten by Alisa Kleybanova and Jelena Dokic on Friday.
Saturday’s players in action in Melbourne will include Serena Williams, Svetlana Kuznetsova, Elena Dementieva and Australia’s own Samantha Stosur.
Saturday’s Matches to Follow
Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS)[8] v. Alona Bondarenko (UKR)[31]
Although this is only the third round of play, Saturday’s play at the Australian Open will feature several key matches. Svetlana Kuznetsova has struggled of late at majors and needed three sets to get past her countrywoman Anastasia Rodionova in the third round.
Alona Bondarenko’s stay in Melbourne has not been memorable so far, as she and her sister were upset in the first round of their doubles title defense. The Ukrainian’s confidence is clearly not at a high, which should give Kuznetsova an opportunity to capitalize on a straight sets win.
Pick: Svetlana Kuznetsova in two sets
Shuai Peng (CHN) v. Serena Williams (USA)[2]
Serena Williams is the last American woman alive in the draw at Melbourne Park after her sister’s untimely exit on Thursday. Will Venus’ exit inspire Serena to play better tennis?
Based on her unremarkable level of play in the first two rounds, clearly Serena needs something to spur her on as she progresses further in the draw. Shuai Peng has started working with Tarik Benhabiles, the former coach of Andy Roddick and more recently, Tatiana Golovin. It will be interesting to see whether that new relationship will translate into better results for China’s No. 3 player.
Pick: Serena Williams in two sets
Samantha Stosur (AUS) v. Elena Dementieva (RUS)[4]
The person who best stands to benefit from Venus Williams’ upset is Russian fourth seed Elena Dementieva. Slated to potentially meet Venus in the quarterfinals, Dementieva now has the advantage of an open quarter of the draw.
Stosur is more known for her doubles prowess than her singles game, but her fitness and speed should give her a fighting chance against Dementieva.
Pick: Elena Dementieva in two sets
Tough Times Ahead for Maria Sharapova
It is still too early in the tournament to project the Top 10 on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Rankings as 12 players are still alive with a chance of cracking the Top 10.
However, one projection is clear.
By not playing the Australian Open, Maria Sharapova will fall out of the Top 10 for the first time since the week of July 5, 2004, snapping a string of 238 consecutive weeks in the Top 10.
The last time Sharapova ranked outside of the Top 10 was during the week of June 21, 2004 (No.15), prior to winning 2004 Wimbledon singles title.
