Tennis Betting - Australian Open 2007 - First Round Women's Singles Highlights
by Nila Amerova
As the Australian Open prepares for its third day of action, the women’s first round of play, already in full swing, yielded very few surprises, save for Maria Sharapova’s less than spectacular performance against Camille Pin of France!
A not so sharp Sharapova squeaked her way to a 6-3, 4-6, 9-7 victory and only just barely avoided making history at the Australian Open as the first top-seeded woman to be beaten in the first round. Normally a brisk and ferocious opponent, Sharapova’s wilting opening performance had her slugging about the court at a koala’s pace!
Not even her incessant grunts and shrieks managed to save her from floundering through the match, as Pin put up a valiant effort to come back from a 0 -5 down in the third set! Hardly a convincing performance for the Australian Opens favorite to win the title! If Sharapova’s first-round match was a preview to the rest of her campaign at the Australian Open, then the favorite to win will not go advance very far.
If that is the case, then the plot thickens and the playing field becomes even more wide-open than it was with Justine Hennin-Hardenne’s withdrawal.
Amelie Mauresmo got off to a solid start in her first-round match, defeating American Shenay Perry 6-3, 6-4. Despite demonstrating a few shaky moments, the defending champion booked her place in the second round convincingly and seems on course to go deep into the tournament.
World No.4 Kim Clijsters left no doubt about her contention in this tournament when she topped Vasilisa Bardina, 6-0, 6-0, and Martina Hingis blew past France's Nathalie Dechy, 6-0, 6-2. With both Clijsters and Hingis sizzling in their opening performances, it seems quite likely that they will face-off in a spectacular quarterfinal showdown!
Returning two-time Australian Open champion Serena Williams made a mockery of her unseeded status when she effortlessly squashed 27th-seeded Mara Santangelo 6-2, 6-1. Exclamation point! Looking fit, fine and flashy, Serena Williams prepares to take on her next challenger in the second round on her comeback track.
Prediction: Following her first-round performance, it would be hard to imagine Serena stumbling just yet. Look for a close two-set match with Serena pulling off a win.
Leading the Russian women’s advance at the Australian Open was Svetlana Kuznetsova, who defeated Jessica Moore 6-2, 6-0. Nadia Petrova went 6-3, 6-2 against Tamarine Tanasugarn and Elena Dementieva topped Stephanie Foretz of France 6-1, 6-2.
All three Russian ladies are favored in their second round match-ups.
Prediction: Kuznetsova should top Monique Adamczak in two easy sets.
Prediction: One of the hottest young ladies on the tour, Petrova should also live up to her expectations and send Dulko home in a two-set match. After which, in all likelihood, she will advance to a third round match-up against Serena Williams.
Czech sensation Nicole Vaidisova advanced through her first-round match after faltering in the second set, winning 6-4, 7-5, 6-1 against America’s Jill Craybas. While Serbia’s Jelena Jankovic, breezed through her first-round match with a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Alexandra Wozniak of Canada.
Prediction: Despite her shaky start, Vaidisova should defeat Sequera in a comfortable two-setter and stay on course to possibly meet Elena Dementieva in the fourth round.
Prediction: Jankovic defeats Pascual in a close two-set match keeping her on track to an expected fourth-round showdown between the winner of the expected Serena Williams and Nadia Petrova showdown.
All in the first round of play on the women’s side has played out to expectations, save for the Sharapova incident. The second round may hold a potential upset in Sharapova if she continues floundering, but, short of a surprise feat of achievement by an unexpected challenger, the second round should play out to expectations as well.
Nila Amerova is a freelance sports writer and regular contributor to the BetUS.com Locker Room.
Sign-up or Login now