It’s Grand Slam season again. The Australian Open, the Grand Slam tournament of the Asia Pacific, kicks off with action from superstars like Kim Clijsters, Justine Henin, Maria Sharapova, Rafael Nadal, Andy Roddick, Andy Murray, Marin Cilic and Juan Martin Del Potro. Federer will headline play on Tuesday, but for now, these are my predictions for Monday.
Pick of the Ladies' Matches:
Maria Sharapova vs. Maria Kirilenko
Rod Laver Arena – 11:00 a.m. Monday Melbourne/7 p.m. Sunday US Eastern
Back after a long injury break, Sharapova has not lost a match here since lifting the trophy in 2008. It’s interesting to note that Clijsters hadn’t lost a match at the US Open before her comeback, and she’s the defending champion now, so Sharapova would be hoping for the same kind of fortitude.
Having played Kirilenko three times before, Sharapova emerged victorious twice, whilst retiring trailing 1-2 in the second set of the semifinals in Beijing in 2005. The two haven’t met since 2006 and Kirilenko has plummeted to No. 58 in the world rankings. And yet, since all the matches between these two have been hard fought, so will this one.
Prediction: Sharapova be victorious in two tough sets; one of them going to the tie break.
Other matches on Rod Laver Arena:
Easy wins for Clijsters, Nadal, Murray, and a tough-fought three-set win for home favourite underdog Jelena Dokic.
Other ladies’ matches to watch out for:
• Henin on her comeback trail should wipe the court of Hisense Arena with her compatriot Kristen Flipkens.
• Anna Chakvedatse should upset No. 12 seed Flavia Pennetta if she were to play with any of the class that had her in the top five of women’s tennis.
Pick of the Men's Matches
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