===============
AUSTRALIAN OPEN
(Melbourne, Australia; outdoor hard (Plexicushion); Major)
=============== http://www.australianopen.com/
Contents
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1. Photos
2. First-round TV-report: Chakvetadze v Keothavong
3. Second-round draw
4. Second-round preview
5. Women's Doubles: First-round draw
6. Order of play for Wednesday

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1. Photos
---------

Various players including Anna:
http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/2/photogallery/

--------------------------------------------------
2. First-round TV-report: Chakvetadze v Keothavong
(Monday 19th January 2009)
--------------------------------------------------

+ ANNA CHAKVETADZE [17,EF] d. Anne Keothavong, 6-1 6-7 (4/7) 6-1

I saw the third set on BBCi!

The match started in the Australian late afternoon, while I was
sleeping in England. When I woke up and checked the scoreboard at
19:25 AEDT, Anna was one game away from victory at 6-1 6-5*.

Anna dropped the second set on a tiebreak before BBCi started showing
it. The commentators said Keothavong had come out of that tiebreak
"rocking and rolling", but she played very poorly in the third set,
with numerous basic errors.

Anna's form was far from convincing, as some worrying unforced errors
crept into her game, but Keothavong did little to test her in that
third set.

I'll post my full TV-report at a later date.

--------------------
3. Second-round draw
--------------------
3.1 Top half
------------

* Kirsten Flipkens v JELENA JANKOVIC [1] (komaan Kirsten!)
* Nathalie Dechy v AI SUGIYAMA [26] (allez Nathalie!)
* Lucie Šafárová [EF] v Marina Erakovic (my loyalty is to LUCIE)
* Tsvetana Pironkova [DF] v MARION BARTOLI [16,DF,S] (my Reason says
Marion, but my Passion says Tsvetana)

* Sania Mirza [DF] v NADIA PETROVA [10] (go Sania!)
* Karin Knapp v Galina Voskoboeva
* Monica Niculescu [S] v Sara Errani (hai Monica!)
* VERA ZVONARËVA [7,EF] v Edina Gallovits (DAVAI VERA!!)

* Ekaterina Makarova v DINARA SAFINA [3]
* Patricia Mayr v KAIA KANEPI [25]
* DANIELA HANTUCHOVÁ [19,EF] v Mathilde Johansson (my loyalty is to
DANIELA)
* ALIZÉ CORNET [15] v Andrea Petkovic (allez Alizé!)

* CAROLINE WOZNIACKI [11] v Virginia Ruano Pascual (my loyalty is to
Caroline)
* Jelena Dokic [WC,EF] v ANNA CHAKVETADZE [17,EF] (having to lose one
of them so early is like a dagger in my heart)
* ALISA KLEYBANOVA [29] v Stéphanie Cohen-Aloro
* ANA IVANOVIC [5,DF] v Alberta Brianti [Q] (ajde Ana!)


3.2 Bottom half
---------------

* VENUS WILLIAMS [6] v Carla Suárez Navarro
* María José Martínez Sánchez v Akgul Amanmuradova
* ANABEL MEDINA GARRIGUES [21] v Julie Coin
* FLAVIA PENNETTA [12,DF] v Jessica Moore [WC] (my loyalty is to Flavia)

* PATTY SCHNYDER [14] v Virginie Razzano
* DOMINIKA CIBULKOVÁ [18] v Chan,Yung-Jan (podme Domi!)
* Sabine Lisicki v Samantha Stosur (komm jetzt Sabine!)
* Iveta Benešová v ELENA DEMENTIEVA [4] (pojdme Iveta!)

* Tatjana Malek v SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA [8] (komm jetzt Tatjana!)
* ALYONA BONDARENKO [31] v Séverine Brémond (my loyalty is to Alyona -
slightly)
* ZHENG,JIE [22] v Melinda Czink (jia you Jie!)
* Kateryna Bondarenko v Lourdes Domínguez Lino (davai Kateryna!)

* VICTORIA AZARENKA [13] v Tathiana Garbin (davai Victoria!)
* Elena Baltacha [Q] v AMÉLIE MAURESMO [20] (go Elena!)
* Peng,Shuai [S] v Sesil Karatantcheva [Q] (jia you Shuai!)
* Gisela Dulko [DF] v SERENA WILLIAMS [2] (ˇvamos Gisela!)

-----------------------
4. Second-round preview
-----------------------

Jelena Dokic v Anna Chakvetadze is a mouthwatering match, although
having to lose one of them in the second round feels like a dagger in
my heart! But not as agonising as the BBC's plans to snub them even
though they will be playing on the Rod Laver Arena evening-session!

Ten years ago, Jelena looked like a world #1 in the making. She
thrashed Martina Hingis 6-2 6-0 at Wimbledon 1999, Venus Williams
6-1 6-2 at Rome 2000, won five WTA singles-titles and reached a
career-high ranking of #4. But then her well-documented
family-problems caught up with her, and she fell off the tennis-radar,
battling depression and injuries.

2008 was a something of an encouraging turnaround for Jelena, as she
compiled a 35:10 win/loss record mainly on the ITF circuit, winning
three ITF singles-titles, working her way back to her current ranking
of #187. She gained her place at the Australian Open by winning the
wild-card play-off tournament in December.

Jelena's 7-6 7-6 loss to Amélie Mauresmo at Brisbane was encouraging,
as she hadn't played someone ranked as high as #23 for years. Less
encouraging is that she pulled out of Hobart-qualifying after
spraining her right Achilles' tendon while practising.
"The Australian Open is still 10 days away, so I still have some time,
which is good, and I should be all right," she said.

Jelena beat Tamira Paszek 6-2 3-6 6-4 in the first round, which
suggests that her Achilles' tendon has healed, since she was able to
come through such a tough match.

Anna, like Jelena, is one of the most flairsomely talented players in
the game - not to mention ultracute! Anna broke through by winning the
prestigious Tier I Kremlin Cup at Moscow in October 2006, and followed
up with a very consistent 2007, winning four WTA singles-titles and
reaching three Major quarter-finals - including her run to the US Open
2007 semi-finals.

Anna slumped from #6 to #18 in 2008 following a traumatic ordeal in
December 2007 in which she was tied up by burglars who broke into her
house, although she did manage to win WTA Paris and reach the New
Haven final. But her win/loss record for 2008 was only 28:23.

Anna beat Sania Mirza 6-4 6-4 as Team Russia reached the final of the
Hong Kong exhibition, and her 7-6 6-3 loss to Venus Williams was
encouraging, considering that Williams thrashed #1 Jelena Jankovic and
#7 Vera Zvonarëva both 6-2 6-2 in that tournament!

Less encouraging was Anna's 3-6 6-4 6-4 loss to Gisela Dulko in
another rubber of the Hong Kong final, and then her 7-6 1-6 7-5 loss
to #44 Carla Suárez Navarro in the first round of Hobart - after
leading 5-2 in the third set!

Anna came through the first round here with a less-than-convincing 6-1
6-7(4) 6-1 win over Anne Keothavong, who offered very weak resistance
in the third set.

Despite Anna's struggles, I think she would have too much game for
Jelena at this stage of Jelena's comeback (they've never played each
other before). Anna has groundstrokes of flairsome power like Jelena,
but plays with greater variety, has better defensive skills, and is so
deceptive! For Anna, it's just a matter of cutting out the unforced
errors that plagued her in 2008.

But still, I believe that class is permanent, and now that Jelena's
finally back playing at this level, she just might rediscover
something resembling her form from of old: the kind of form that saw
her hitting winners at will past Martina Hingis at Wimbledon 1999.


4.1 Articles
------------

Australian Open: Day 3 Preview
http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/1/newsroom/stories/?ContentID=2902
>>>
Top seed Jelena Jankovic is back in action as the second round gets
underway at the Australian Open on Wednesday, against former
junior-star Kirsten Flipkens. But the Serbian world No.1 will probably
understand that much of the focus will be on another player who shares
her first name: Jelena Dokic.

Rod Laver
(17) Anna Chakvetadze vs. (WC) Jelena Dokic (AUS) - First meeting

As it happens, Chakvetadze was runner-up to Flipkens in the Wimbledon
junior-final back in 2003, but whereas the Belgian has struggled in
the senior ranks, Chakvetadze has cashed in her chips in fine style.

That said, 2008 wasn't the happiest of seasons for the 21-year-old,
who dropped out of the top 10. The young Russian's Major results took
a backward step and, despite winning the Paris Indoors in February -
marking seven tournament-wins from seven finals - Chakvetadze spent
much of the year conspicuously short of back-to-back wins, let alone
trophies.

On the other side of the net, Dokic's troubles have been well
documented, but the former world No.4 - now clawing her way back from
No.187, was impressive against Tamira Paszek on Monday. Both have it
all to play for, but are prone to self-admonishment. It could be an
emotional night.
<<<

2009 Australian Open - Nick's Picks - Women's Singles Round 2
Nick Bollettieri <nickstennispicks.com>
>>>
Jelena Dokic (AUS) vs. Anna Chakvetadze (RUS) - Dokic won her first
Major singles-match since 2003 in front of her home-fans on Monday. No
one has ever questioned her ability to be a top-notch player, but
sometimes outside forces have a tremendous impact on your life. We are
thrilled to have her back on the tour, and hope she can remain
competitive for years to come. Chakvetadze is very sold [solid?], and
for Dokic to win this match, it is not going to be easy. The question
is: How much does she have left in her tank after a very emotional win
in the first round?
<<<

2009 Australian Open: Day Three Preview
Aaress Lawless <www.onthebaseline.com>
>>>
Jelena Dokic (AUS) v. Anna Chakvetadze (RUS)[17]

A tearful Jelena Dokic revealed in her post-match press-conference on
Monday just what it feels like to finally be back where she believes
she belongs. It has been a long five years for Dokic in her
Melbourne-return, but with every win, she is signalling that perhaps,
happy days are here again.

Despite Chakvetadze's seeding, this is a winnable match for Jelena.
Facing a top-twenty seed in the second round is never ideal, but if
she had to pick one player, it might likely have been Chakvetadze.
Anna hasn't been the same since her family was robbed in the 2007
off-season, and her results continue to slide. Factor in the support
of the crowd and the emotion of the moment, and fans in Rod Laver
Stadium might have something to cheer about on Wednesday night.

Jelena Dokic in three sets.
<<<

Australia Day comes early at Melbourne Park (Reuters)
By Greg Stutchbury (editing by Pritha Sarkar)
>>>
Former world number-four Jelena Dokic and teenage sensation Bernard
Tomic are expected to inspire a surge in ticket-sales as the pair have
been given top billing at the Australian Open on Wednesday.

Melbourne Park will be a seething mass of green and gold on Day Three,
with local fans keen to provide a tidal wave of raucous support to two
of their own, who will both play under floodlights on Rod Laver Arena.

World number-two Roger Federer will have to take a back seat for once
as he continues his quest for a record-equalling 14th Major title.

Federer was shunted into the day-session - albeit on centre court -
for his contest against Russia's Evgeny Korolev.

Dokic, the on-again, off-again, on-again Australian who has had
well-publicised battles with her tempestuous father Damir, won her
first Melbourne Park match in a decade when she beat Austria's Tamira
Paszek on Monday.

An emotional Dokic later said she had almost given up tennis because
of her continuous battles with her father before finally walking out
on her family.

When she returned to Australia three years ago, she asked fans to
forgive her, which they did in spades on Monday with their chants of
'Aussie, Aussie, Aussie! Oi! Oi! Oi!'

CROWD-SUPPORT

She will be hoping for similar support when she faces Russian 17th
seed Anna Chakvetadze.

"They really got behind me, which was great," said Dokic, who will be
appearing in a Major second round for the first time since the 2003 US
Open.

"I don't know when was the last time that the crowd was really like that."
<<<

Match Analysis: Jelena Dokic v Anna Chakvetadze (www.australianopen.com)
>>>
BACKGROUND

Jelena: After her hard-fought victory over Tamira Paszek in the first
round, the tearful Dokic has become the event's sentimental favourite.
It was the first time the much-put-upon native of the former
Yugoslavia and former world No.4 passed the first round since 1999,
and she really looks like she's getting past her family- and emotional
problems that essentially took her off the Tour from 2004-2007. The
aggressive blonde hasn't looked this confident since 2002.

Anna: This Martina Hingis play-alike is one of the most creative
players on tour, with soft hands, quick feet and incredible
anticipation, hence her rise to the world No.5 ranking in September of
2007, after she reached the US Open semi-finals. But since she and her
family were mugged at home in Moscow in December 2007, she lost a
tremendous amount of confidence and rhythm, and has yet to regain her
once-stellar form.

CURRENT FORM

Jelena: Her three-set win over Paszek showed off relentless, lethal
groundstrokes, and a vicious return of serve. However, her own serve
is often spotty, and although she's a much smarter player than she was
as a teen, she doesn't move as fast as she did then, and is still
prone to bouts of wildness.

Anna: At times in her three-set win over Anne Keothavong, the old,
effective Chakvetadze returned: misdirecting balls, sweeping backhands
down the line, and forehands crosscourt. But the shaky Russian was
also there, tearing up, getting down on herself, over and
under-hitting. The 17th seed remains an enigma.

STRENGTH

Jelena: Her outright aggressiveness and little fear of whom she is
playing has always been one of her greatest strengths. She can rip
winners off both wings, and easily munch on slow second serves. When
she gets into the zone, she's almost untouchable.

Anna: An extremely smart player for a 21-year-old, she has remarkable
anticipatory skills. She's a terrific offense-to-defense player, who
has an underrated first serve and deft placement. But all that can go
away when she's lacking self-belief.

TACTICS

Jelena: Dokic needs to attack Chakvetadze's second serves, go hard at
her forehand crosscourt, and not get frustrated when the Russian
frequently changes place [pace?]. She has too dare the Russian to try
to trade big blows with her. She must trick Chakvetadze into playing a
macho contest, instead of attempting to engage in a chess-match.

Anna: At this point in her young career, the most important thing for
Chakvetadze is to keep positive and keep her brittle emotions in
check. She has all the tools to be a top-five player again, and once
she's able to string Dokic out, should have the upper hand in rallies.
But she's having trouble closing out rallies after she sets up a
winning shot - a sure sign of a lack of confidence. She has to yell at
herself, "I believe!"

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The two have never played, but they do share Tamira Paszek in common:
Dokic beat her on Monday in three sets, and Chakvetadze took the
Austrian down twice on hardcourts in straight sets.
<<<

------------------------------------
5. Women's Doubles: First-round draw
------------------------------------

* Anna Chakvetadze [EF]/Alisa Kleybanova v CARA BLACK/LIEZEL HUBER [1]

Full draw:
http://www.australianopen.com/en_AU/scores/draws/wd/

------------------------------
6. Order of play for Wednesday
------------------------------

Rod Laver Arena (start 11:00 AEDT = 00:00 GMT)
WS 2r: ANA IVANOVIC [5,DF] v Alberta Brianti
MS 2r: Jérémy Chardy v NOVAK ĐOKOVIC [3]
MS 2r: Evgeny Korolov v ROGER FEDERER [2]
|
Evening-session (start 19:30 AEDT = 08:30 GMT)
WS 2r: Jelena Dokic [EF] v ANNA CHAKVETADZE [17,EF]
MS 2r: Bernard Tomic v Gilles Müller

I'm delighted that Jelena and Anna are on the Rod Laver Arena
evening-session, because that means they'll be on BBCi at 08:30 GMT!
:D Thank God there are no Britons on Wednesday's order of play! (in
singles).

That's what I wrote before I heard the following announcement on BBCi:
"Tomorrow, you'll get a chance to see a couple of matches featuring
the second and third seeds - Roger Federer and Novak Đokovic - and you
can also see those matches repeated again at 8:30 in the UK." :fiery:
:fiery: :fiery:

Full order of play:
http://www.australianopen.com/en_AU/scores/schedule/

--
Dr. Andrew Broad
http://tinyurl.com/andrewbroad-chakv