MELBOURNE, Australia—It has been an exciting first week at the 2009 Australian Open – which most notably included shocking losses by Jelena Jankovic, Ana Ivanovic and Venus Williams.
As we approach the business end of the tournament, who will be crowned the next women’s champion?
Tania’s picks for the Quarterfinals
Marion Bartoli (FRA)[16] vs. Vera Zvonareva (RUS)[7]
Marion outplayed Jelena Jankovic in their fourth round match, winning 81% of points on her first serve and aggressively attacking the Serb’s second serve. This was an emphatic win as she conceded only five games.
Zvonareva has progressed along nicely in her section of the draw and will be looking to capitalize on her first time in the quarterfinals. The bronze medalist from the Beijing Olympics will look to rally Bartoli from the baseline; however the Frenchwoman will be too strong for the Russian.
Marion Bartoli in 2 sets
Dinara Safina (RUS)[3] vs. Jelena Dokic (AUS)
For Australian wild card Jelena Dokic, this has been a dream run to date. With all the drama in her life over the past few years, she has reignited her passion for tennis. This is Dokic’s best Grand Slam result since the French in 2002. After a hard fought match against Ivanovic’s conqueror Alisa Kleybanova in the previous round, Dokic finds Safina waiting for her in the next round. Dinara saved two match points against Alize Cornet and will look to decrease her unforced error count.
This may very well be her breakthrough Grand Slam and despite Jelena being an excellent striker of the ball, the number three seed should win. There will be plenty of fist pumping in this battle – from the court and in the stands.
Dinara Safina in 2 sets
Elena Dementieva (RUS)[4] vs. Carla Suarez Navarro (ESP)
Dementieva is the in-form player of the remaining eight. After strong wins in Auckland and Sydney prior to the Australian Open, Dementieva has carried that confidence into Melbourne. She has been hitting well off the baseline and we have seen much improvement on her serve.
Cibulkova did little to trouble Elena in the fourth round; however Elena has a much tougher test in Carla Suarez Navarro. Her aggressiveness exhibits a likeness to ex-champion and countrywoman Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario. The big stage has not fazed her as she has produced two quality wins post-Venus Williams. Her single-handed backhand is Henin-esque and Carla could very well cause an upset.
Carla Suarez Navarro in 3 sets
Serena Williams (USA)[2] vs.Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS)[8]
Both women progressed into the Round of 8 due to their opponents retiring from injury. One feels that Svetlana’s best is long gone, but the Russian has done well to fend off the competition in some unflattering displays.
Serena, a three-time champion in Melbourne, will hope to leave her previous shaky starts behind her and look to better her footwork. The lifeline given to her by Victoria Azarenka will see the younger Williams sister move through to another Grand Slam semifinal.
Serena Williams in 2 sets
Tania Tchea is a tennis enthusiast and aspiring sports writer / presenter from Melbourne, Australia. She has experience working at the Commonwealth Games, FINA World Swimming Championships and other National Football Clubs, however her passion is tennis.
She has often been described as a Human Almanac of Tennis due to her strong knowledge of the game at a national and international level. Tania has previously worked for the Australian Open and Tennis Australia.
I admit to a little gamesmanship in my own Bartoli v Zvonareva preview. I am also going for Marion in 2.
Marion may have thrashed Jankovic 6-1 6-4, but Jankovic was weak: she’s been struggling physically this month, and from the highlights I saw, she kept giving Marion short lobs to put away.
Vera, on the other hand, is hitting the ball very sweetly, and even overpowered the powerful Petrova. Vera leads Marion 6:1, and beat her 6-2 6-0 and 6-0 6-1 in their last two meetings.
I think Marion will find an on-form Vera a very different proposition from an off-form Jankovic!
I agree with Andrew, Vera has been playing remarkable tennis for the last couple of months and I wouldn’t be surprised to see her in the final.
Jankovic is in trouble. She’ll likely lose the No. 1 ranking after Melbourne, which will give her a chance to compete once again without a target on her back. That first major will come sooner or later, but definitely not until she can restore her game and confidence.
Thanks for the picks, Tania!
Well, we didn’t have to wait that long. Vera may just be the dark horse for the aussie title.
Looking at the clash, Vera was exceptonally on form, the better base liner. Just as I was thinking, once she got Bartoli pinned down she just calmly picked her apart.
I can see the Olympic trio all over again, Vera, Safina, Elena all doing pretty well. Not so sure about Kuznetsova, but who knows.
The thrill for me will be if Elena Dementieva makes No.1 from this tourney. It will be an interesting human story given all her past experiences in the WTA.
I thought that although Zvonareva played well – very well – she was also greatly aided by Bartoli becoming physically drained.