All Top 20 seeded players on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour survived the opening round of play at the 2009 Championships at Wimbledon.
Second round action begins on Wednesday, including an early test for former champion Maria Sharapova.
OTB’s Can’t Miss Matches of the Day
Elena Dementieva hit ten double faults during her opening match. (© PHOTOSPORT.com)
This could be the upset special of the day. Sharapova’s serve is not looking the sharpest, plus Dulko has been playing excellent tennis over the past few months.
Aravane Rezai (FRA) v. Elena Dementieva (RUS)[4]
France’s Aravane Rezai has been struggling to recapture her form of late, but if Dementieva, like Sharapova, gives away too many free points on serve, this could become a tight match.
Jie Zheng (CHN)[16] v. Daniela Hantuchova (SVK)
Jie Zheng is very comfortable playing on the grass at Wimbledon, especially after reaching the semis last year. Hantuchova, on the other hand, came close to losing to 15-year old Laura Robson in the 1st round.
First Round News Round-Up
Injury mars Safina win
Dinara Safina’s quest to win her first Wimbledon title may yet be scuppered by a knee problem encountered during her first-round victory over Lourdes Dominguez Lino of Spain.
Sharapova overcomes early hole to win at Wimbledon
There was a time, not all that long ago, when Maria Sharapova wondered when she would be back at Grand Slam tournaments, let alone winning matches.
Melanie Oudin, 17, Reaches Second Round
When unseeded Melanie Oudin, 17, looked at the draw sheet for this year’s Wimbledon Championships, she felt a comforting flash of recognition. At last, she said, she would face an opponent she knew — and had beaten.
Win a Racquet Signed by Maria Sharapova
Prince Sports is giving fans both in Rockefeller Center in New York City, and on-line, the chance to guess the number Prince tennis balls housed in a larger-than-life container.
By simply logging on to the Prince homepage, fans around the country, can submit a guess for a chance to win.
The person closest to guessing the exact number of tennis balls in the container, without going over, will receive a special Prince prize package including a new EXO3 racquet, premium racquet bag and an autographed racquet from 2004 Wimbledon Champion, Maria Sharapova.
Enter OTB’s Pick the Winner’s Contest
How well do you know tennis? Do you think you can pick the winner of Wednesday’s featured match? Guess correctly and you might be one of the three lucky people chosen to win a pair of Drymax tennis socks!
To enter, simply select your pick for the winner of Wednesday’s match between Maria Sharapova (RUS)[24] vs. Gisela Dulko (ARG). All entries must be received by 7:00 AM ET on Wednesday. Only one entry per person.
Entry for today’s match has ended.
ESPN2 and ESPN360.com Schedule for Wednesday
Early Round Day 3 – ESPN2 – 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM (LIVE)
Early Round Coverage Day 3 – ESPN360.com – 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Watch Live Online)
