Daniela is playing in Rome - she has got quite a good draw. In her
eighth there is only one Russian - Zvonareva, who is used to lose in
1st rounds, so actually no Russian in first three rounds - recently,
it's something unbelievable on women's tour. Although the draw is
pleasant, let's remember it's clay, Daniela's least favourite surface.
Unfortunately, her 1st round opponent is Samantha Stosur from
Australia - although she is ranked No. 50 and Daniela No.16, Stosur
managed to beat Daniela - even on hard court - in Tokyo 2006 - 7:6
(5), 6:2. Before this match, they met only once, in AUS OPEN 2003 in
R32 and Daniela won 6:4, 6:2. Stosur is this year only 12:9 (Daniela
is slightly better with 15:10). So, taken together Samantha Stosur is
a slight favourite of this match. Daniela is playing without any coach
- it's difficult to say whether it is or it is not an advantage for
her - she is not under Nigel's pressure, on the other hand is she
going to pick the right tactics and strategy? Having lost to Safina
2:6, 3:6 in the previous tournament, it seems that Daniela would only
benefit from getting a new and high-quality coach. Karina Habsudova is
out of question - not only because she's got a child and family, but
also because she does not seem to be interested in tennis any more and
I doubt she could be a help for Daniela, when she was not able to help
herself when she was still playing. Davenport's coach would be a
possibility, difficult to say...
My guess is that Daniela will lose to Stosur in two tight sets, or in
three with the final one 1:6 or 2:6...She will get better result in
doubles with Sugiyama.