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Who's Hot and Who's Not, Down Under:
The Women - The Men
by A.J. Chabria
Photographs by J.Gregory Swendsen
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The Favorites
Venus Williams
Venus Williams, the WTA's de facto #1 for the last half of 2001 has already started the year with a straight set title win over Justine Henin in Gold Coast, Australia. Though her results in Oz have not been stellar, they have been consistent when she manages to make the trip (quarters in '98 and '99, semis last year). For Venus, Melbourne isn't like Roland Garros, where she could be sent packing on day one. As at the Open and Wimbledon, she'll casually play her way through the first week, then have a few nail-biters with the big girls. A good bet to make it three slams running. Odds: 3-2.Jennifer Capriati
The only one outside Venus' immediate family who will keep Venus from the title is Jennifer Capriati. Already demonstrating her commitment over the off-season, she just took a tough three set final over Elena Dementieva in Hong Kong. Reading all the tennis press' articles about who is the real number one, and having all those tour points to defend, Capriati will have no trouble finding the motivation to repeat here. The heavier Slazenger balls should favor her over most of her challengers. 2-1 odds.
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Lindsay Davenport
Sitting atop the rankings and sheepishly wondering why is Lindsay Davenport. Slamless for a couple of years, she did win this thing in 2000 (time flies, huh?). She always gets to the semis here. Lindsay's definitely got the weapons to take anybody down and she realizes that a win could vault her to legitimate world #1 status. A gusty day or a Williams sister is likely to stop her again. 6-1 for the cup.Martina Hingis
It's been five finals in a row at the Australian Open for Martina Hingis. Clearly she knows what she's doing on this surface. Over the break, if she managed to add some more speed to her game and a more substantial second serve, she could get to the second weekend. It's strange to speak of a 21 year old as a veteran, but I think Martina's experience is her only real weapon. Look for her in the doubles final, no matter the partner. 8-1 in singles, due to a suspect ankle.Kim Clijsters
Kim Clijsters is strong, quick and has really grown up as a tennis player in the past year. This young Belgian seems to embrace heat, gusty winds and heavy balls, all of which will bug everyone else at the Australian Open. 9-1 that she'll be determined enough to take her first Slam here.
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The Contenders
Serena Williams
The mercurial Serena Williams, the more gifted of the sisters is a toss up once again. She is the only player in the field who realistically could blow through seven matches without the loss of a set. The day she gains control over that explosive forehand and realizes she's actually a good volleyer, she will start dominating Slams at will. Until then, look for a few Graf-like annihilations in the first week, a jittery set (or two?) against someone like Justine Henin and a forgettable day against one of the favorites. 12-1.Justine Henin
Justine Henin absolutely oozes talent -- she even walks like a young Ilie Nastase. She is the little one with the orange blur that extends from her hand -- the one swooned over by tennis connoisseurs the world over. With the current incarnation of Evonne Goolagong's game, here's hoping the Aussie public will push her though the onslaught of opponents with six inches and 30 pounds on her. Reaching the Wimbledon final was no fluke, but even with her deadly backhand it'll be much tougher here with the higher bounce. 15-1.Amelie Mauresmo
A finalist here in '99, Amelie Mauresmo will never forget her coming out party in Melbourne. Back when she was the world's number one junior, I remember thinking she'd be a shoo-in for at least a few Slams. With a more confident second serve and a better head when things aren't perfect she could make some more waves. I'd also love to see her develop a better first volley when she sneaks in behind those monstrous groundstrokes. Until then, 20-1.
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Meghan Shaughnessy
American Meghan Shaughnessy has made huge strides this past year. One of the quickest players on the tour, Meghan could outmaneuver the competition and sneak into the quarters or semis. 20-1.Sylvia Farina Elia
Resurgent Italian veteran Sylvia Farina Elia finished 2001 at number 14. Surprised? Don't be if she slices that backhand all the way to the second week. 22-1.The Sentimental Favorites
Everybody loves Monica Seles, even her detractors back in the early nineties root for her. What a sick story and a wonderful comeback. The '96 champ will need a great draw and good weather to go far, and the crowd will be behind her every step of the way. 22-1.You'll hear "Allez Marie!!" at every Mary Pierce match in any corner of the world. She's back on the tour and hitting the ball big. The question is, does she have enough matches in her? The answer is, well, "NO", but she's won this event before and she'll be the only unseeded player with a prayer. 28-1.
Alicia Molik has replaced Jelena Dokic as Aussie number one. Molik had a brief stint as Lleyton Hewitt's teammate at the Hopman Cup in Perth last week, and you can bet she picked up a few things. An outsider a year ago, she's now in the top 50. Look for a few upsets from this youngster. 50-1. Better odds for Dokic, the top tenner: 30-1. Though she plays for Yugoslavia now, she's still a sympathetic figure in Australia thanks to her old man's antics. I really admire this kid, and she's got a great game on hard courts.
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The Ovas and the Evas
Denisa Chladkova, Nadia Petrova, Tatiana Panova, Henrietta Nagyova, Iroda Tulyaganova and Daniela Hantuchova; all ranked in the top fifty and are poised to make a run this year (all 55-1). At the very least they'll force the average television announcer to hit the research pages (23-2 odds there).Of the all the Ovas, young Daja Bedanova has the best shot at an appearance in the last sixteen, as good a bet as Israel's Anna Smashnova (who just won Auckland) and Anna Kournikova. All three: 42-1 odds for the title.
Elena Dementieva and Elena Likhovtseva, with similar games, have wins over the biggest names in the business. Dementieva will be seeded in the top sixteen and though Likhovtseva's ranking has dropped outside the top thirty, she's still got one of the better returns in women's tennis. Both will punch and counter-punch into the second week. 33-1.
The Longshots
Big serving American, Alexandra Stevenson is always good for an upset or two. If it rains and they shut the roof, she could blast her way into the middle of the event. Unless she's been studying from the book of Amelie Mauresmo or perhaps Alex Corretja over the break, her suspect high backhand will continue to fail her against seasoned opponents. 50-1.Lina Krasnoroutskaya is another sharp young player who has wowed competitors and commentators alike. With excellent speed and an all-court game, she could make a dent in the draw. 60-1.