The Australian Open draw for 2011 has dished up some tasty matches that are sure to get people talking over the next few days in anticipation. Here's my picks, along with reasons why I'll personally find the match so intriguing.
#8: (Mens) Philipp Petzcshner (GER) vs. [13]Jo Wilfred-Tsonga (FRA)
Petzcshner was embarassed by Florian Mayer in last year's Open when losing a two-set advantage. Looking to fight back. The power of Petzcshner's serve is pitted here against the power baseline play of the Frenchman. Although Tsonga should and probably will come out on top, this promises entertainment.
#7: (Womens) [21]Yanina Wickmayer (BEL) vs. Jarmila Groth (AUS)
Again, the seed needs to be cautious here. Wickmayer is showing promise with a runner-up performance in Auckland last week along with an improved game, but her opponent is both on her home court and has shot up through the rankings to get a look at the top 40. Watch this space.
#6: (Womens) [4]Venus Williams (USA) vs. Sara Errani (ITA)
I wouldn't mark this match as an expectant thriller, but rather as a sign of Williams' form coming out of some disappointing defeats early this year in Hong Kong. Errani has made it to Round 3 of the Australian Open in the last two editions, but she'll be hard pressed to repeat that feat again. Expect Williams to win. By how much? Can't be sure.
#5: (Mens) Dudi Sela (ISR) vs. Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG)
Despite having more court time than Del Potro last year, Sela must be considered the underdog this match. Del Potro made a disappointing exit from the Sydney International this week and will look to continue the long recovery in the rankings. The opposing playing styles of the two, the speed of Sela and the force of Del Potro, will make this a fun match for those watching.
#4: (Womens) Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) vs. [19]Ana Ivanovic (SRB)
Out of all 128 matches occurring in the first round across both the mens and womens draws, this has got to have the most upset potential. Makarova won her first Premier tournament last year and continues to make impressions on the rankings. Ivanovic pulled out the Hopman Cup injured, after getting Serbia into the final. She lost to Henin in Perth, and I fear she still would coming to Melbourne. It will take a bit for Ivanovic to pull through
#3: (Womens) [14]Maria Sharapova (RUS) vs. Tamarine Tanasugarn (THA)
Another that ticks the 'interesting' box. Why? They used to be doubles partners last decade! Although it's been a while, they may be able to read each other's games to an extent. Tanasugarn's ability to hang around in the rankings for so long is very admirable. She can still win tournaments as well, winning in Osaka at the back end of last year. The Russian virtually has this won already, but it's sport, anything can happen.
#2: (Mens) Lleyton Hewitt (AUS) vs. [27]David Nalbandian (ARG)
Hewitt demonstrates to us the value of being a seeded player. This is a major hurdle for a player who looks to be finding a purple patch of form. I'm going to call Hewitt as favourite, regardless. This is clearly the home country media highlight now, putting added pressure on Hewitt. Easily the men's match to watch simply based on the expectancy of the home crowd.
#1: (Womens) [3]Kim Clijsters (BEL) vs. Dinara Safina (RUS)
Safina is like a yo-yo waiting for the thread to be cut. Her form has been all over the shop and you can't help but feel she'll struggle to ever get close to the 10 again, let alone 1. She showed such promise in her loss to Wickmayer in New Zealand, after an awful 2010 injury and run of poor form, but got crushed by Bartoli in Hobart. Kim Clijsters is just another huge blow to the former world number one. Clijsters, who plays against Li Na in the Sydney International final today, is one top of her game. Expect a Belgian display of dominance to a Russian who can't find her feet at the moment.
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