For the most part, the first week at Wimbledon has gone according to plan on the ladies’ side. As a result, defending champion Serena Williams will square off in the round of 16 against the woman who beat her in the 2004 final, Maria Sharapova. Similarly, the projected clash between Justine Henin and Kim Clijsters has come to fruition. This means that tomorrow, two individuals will be disappointed. Let’s analyze how we arrived at this point and what lies ahead in the second week.
Top seed Serena Williams has simply run through her opponents. Likewise, Sharapova has had little difficulty getting to this stage, sending her adversaries home in straight sets. Serena and Sharapova have played seven times with the former winning five of those meetings. Curiously, since the 2004 championship, the two have never battled on grass. In essence, this will be their rematch. A significant factor will be how well Sharapova serves. If the Russian does well in that department, Serena could be in trouble.
Na Li and Agniezska Radwanska who face each other in the fourth round have yet to drop a set in getting this far. Radwanska holds a 2-1 record against Li and both victories have been on grass. But for both Li and Radwanska, the quarterfinals will be a tough ask with either Sharapova or Serena as a rival.
A definite stunner was the dismissal of French Open finalist Samantha Stosur in the first round by Kaia Kanepi. Previously ranked as high as 18 in 2009, Kanepi’s placement dipped to 80. After ousting another seed Alexandra Dulgheru in the third round, the talented Estonian is in the round of 16 . Another surprise is Kanepi’s opponent in the fourth round, Klara Zakopalova. The 28 year old had not gone pass the third round at a major previously. Zakopalova advanced by bouncing 18th seed Aravane Rezai in the second round and trouncing 10th seed Flavia Pennetta in the third.
Caroline Wozniacki, the third seed, has been splendid on grass as she attempts to better her fourth round result from last year. Jie Zheng, the 23rd seed, and Victoria Azarenka, the 14th seed, fell victim to Petra Kvitova in the second and third round respectively. Thus, Wozniacki takes on Kvitova in the round of 16. The Dane carried their prior two matches. Furthermore, with Kanepi or Zakopalova as a quarterfinal match-up, Wozniacki truly has a green light to the semifinals.
This was a disastrous week for the French Open winners. The reigning champion Francesca Schiavone went out in the first round. Last year’s title holder and 19th seed Svetlana Kuznetsova crashed out in the second round. Ana Ivanovic, the 2008 victor, bowed out in the first round. Hence, Ivanovic’s ranking of 45 will continue to head toward the cellar.


With the exception of 2004 and 2006 when the Venus Rosewater trophy was leased by Maria Sharapova and Amelie Mauresmo respectively, Venus and Serena Williams have been the proprietor of the Wimbledon title eight out of the last ten years. In fact, the Williams sisters have been interchangeably the winner and runner-up the ultimate two seasons. With Serena and Venus as the top two seeds in 2010, a three-peat in the finals is plausible. However, with Justine Henin having reincorporated herself into the tour with the express objective of hoisting the Wimbledon trophy and compatriot Kim Clijsters a formidable force after rejoining the circuit last summer, a new decade may mark the end of the Williams’ dominance. Here’s a preview of the draw and the potential obstacles for the chief contenders at the All England Club.
Nothing is impossible! This was the phrase on the t-shirt worn by Francesca Schiavone’s family and friends today in the French Open final. Schiavone proved the axiom by surprising Samantha Stosur 6-4, 7-6 to grab her first career major. Moreover, Schiavone stenciled her name in history by becoming the first Italian female to prevail at a major.
Last year at the Polstat Warsaw Open, qualifier Alexandra Dulgheru, ranked 201st, beat Alona Bondarenko in the finals. As a result, Dulgheru became the lowest ranked player to prevail at this renamed event whose roll call of distinguished winners includes Justine Henin, Kim Clijsters and Venus Williams. Again, this year, Dulgheru, now world number 32, clashed with a seasoned competitor, Zheng Jie. The 20 year old triumphed over Zheng Jie 6-3,6-4 to obtain her second WTA title.
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.
After runner placements in Brisbane and the Australian Open, Justine Henin captured her first title since rejoining the tour. At the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, a premier indoor clay tournament, Henin prevailed over Samantha Stosur 6-4,2-6,6-1 in the finals.
Along with winning majors, Serena Williams has made a habit of hoisting the trophy in Miami, the “5th grand slam”. In 2005 and 2009, Serena stopped sister Venus Williams from playing in the title match by beating her in the semifinals. Whilst Venus is disappointed that her sibling is unable to compete due to injury, she is perhaps relieved not to have to go through Serena to advance to the finals of the Sony Ericsson Open. Today, Venus defeated Marion Bartoli 6-3,6-4 to book her space in the finals for the first time since 2001.
In the second round at the Sony Ericsson Open, Svetlana Kuznetsova was pushed to three sets by China’s Shuai Peng. But, Kuznetsova, the top seed, averted an upset with a 6-2,3-6,6-4 win.
The women take center stage on Day 2 at the 2010 Sony Ericsson Open. Top seed Svetlana Kuznetsova headlines the day session. Other notable names in action include Ana Ivanovic, Nadia Petrova, Flavia Pennetta, Na Li, Sabine Lisicki and Marion Bartoli. Kim Clijsters will take to the court in doubles partnering with fellow countrywoman Kirsten Flipkens. The night session will be headlined by Venus Williams who will face Sorana Cirstea.

