The sun has set on a the first week at the French Open. As usual there were upsets, many of them expected. However, Serena Williams and Justine Henin, two pre-tournament favorites, have not disappointed. As such, the much touted quarterfinal encounter between these rivals is one round away. Here is a synopsis of the main developments of the initial days.
A bunch of big names took a tumble in the bottom section of the draw. Leading the pack was Svetlana Kuznetsova, the defending champion. After a miserable tune-up, Kuznetsova looked every bit the champion in the first round. Moreover, with her back against the wall in the second round, Kuznetsova salvaged four match points against Andrea Petkovic to advance. But, by the third round, Kuznetsova had utilized all her life lines. She was taken down in three sets by Maria Kirilenko.
Victoria Azarenka, the 9th seed, has had a tough year. The 2009 Sony Ericsson champ was schooled by Gisela Dulko, exiting in the first round. But, in the next round, Dulko was herself stunned by South African qualifier Channelle Scheepers. Scheepers reached the fourth round where she was stopped by Elena Dementieva. Another surprise was Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez, the winner in Rome, also going out in the first round.
As the newly re-minted number two and a finalist in Madrid, expectations were high that Venus Williams would at least make the semifinals. In the first three rounds, Venus forged a statement not only with her attire, but with her play by bouncing her adversaries in straight sets. Yet, in the round of 16, Venus’ game went through a transformation. Although this was their first meeting on clay, Venus had a 4-0 record against Nadia Petrova. Still, Petrova, a 2005 semifinalist, pulled off a straight sets victory. As such, for the fourth consecutive year, Venus was booted prior to the quarterfinals.
A combination of rain and obscurity resulted in a few matches being played over two days. When Aravane Rezai and Petrova resumed their third round with the third set leveled at 7, the French crowd was disenchanted as Petrova walked away with the win. Later that day, France’s last hope, Marion Bartoli, in the top half of the draw, was eliminated in the fourth round by Shahar Peer.
After fighting through Aleksandra Wozniak in the third round and an easy fourth round win, 2004 finalist Dementieva is unquestionably a contender for the finals. Caroline Wozniacki, the third seed, is another. Following two uncomplicated rounds, Wozniacki was severely tested by Alexandra Dulgheru and still captured her third match in straight sets. Then, in the round of 16, warrior Wozniacki bested Flavia Pennetta in a three hour duel to move on to her first quarterfinal in Paris. Bothered by an ankle injury, as Wozniacki faces scrappy Fransceca Schiavone, who booted Kirilenko, she may need to duplicated her last performance


Today, the French Open draw was revealed. Because Serena and Venus Williams are the top two seeds, the possibility of an all Williams final exists. However, with Justine Henin, a four time champion, a potential quarterfinal rival for Serena and Venus perhaps seeing Aravane Rezai or Nadia Petrova in the round of 16, the list of spoilers is extensive. Here’s a snapshot of the likely key match-ups which may eventually determine the victor.
The women’s draw sprang a leak for the first time at the 2010 Sony Ericsson Open. Svetlana Kuznetsova, the top seed, Victoria Azarenka, the defending champion and 4th seed, as well as Jelena Jankovic, the 2008 finalist and 7th seed, all went out in the round of 16. Venus Williams barely hung on to defeat Daniela Hantuchova 1-6,7-5,6-4.
For the second straight day at the Sony Ericsson Open, a highly ranked male seed went out in the second round. World number three and defending champion, Andy Murray, was beaten by Mardy Fish 6-3,6-4 . Although Roger Federer, the number one seed, was pushed by Nicolas Lapentti. Federer still won comfortably 6-3, 6-3.
After eight days, the Australian Open field has been narrowed. Here’s a synopsis of the early round stumbles, near misses and a crack at determining a champion.
The Australian Open draw is out. More than any prior year, in this imprecise game of predictions, the only certainty is the uncertainty in determining a frontrunner for the trophy on both the ladies’ and gentlemen’s side. With no one having a conspicuous edge, with few exceptions, anyone in the top ten can be regarded as a legitimate contender. Moreover, on the women’s side, the return of some old faces with previous success at majors means that it’s is truly anybody’s title.
The initial week of the French Open has been filled with thrilling victories as well as agonizing losses.
