I don't like doing draw previews but I've been thinking and talking with a few tennisheads I know well about the upcoming draw, especially the WTA Draw, and a few things have come to mind.
Maria Sharapova
Where will they hide the Siberian Bansidhe? She is currently ranked at #30 which means she should be seeded for the US Open. Her fans are ecstatic about this.
Being totally real there is no way they're going to have her meet anyone who won't play her scared until the quarterfinals. She'll be coddled and treated like a newborn until then.
Kim Clijsters
She's shown that she's come back ready to throw down and I'm sure no one wants to see her in their part of the draw. She could stand to lose a few pounds and that may tell on her as she goes deeper into the tournament. She won't be coddled though with a decent draw she could make the round of sixteen.
Dinara Safina
She'll sit on top of the draw but a funny thing happened yesterday during the Elena/Maria match. Pammy and Cliffy were talking about who would be favored to win the US Open based on current form. Venus, Serena, Kim as a dark horse, Maria Sharapova with a favorable draw, and Elena Dementieva were all mentioned. They had started to go on to something else - not about the match of course - and Pammy remembered Dinara. There was some embarrassed mumbling and they went on to the next topic in their stream of conciousness coverage.
Elena Dementieva
Elena has a lot of nick names that riff on her last name. They all have to do with the fact that you never know what is going to come flying out of her mouth when you ask her a question. Elena's personality is "different" but her play, when she stays focused and doesn't get down on herself, is very good. There were several points in yesterdays match where she could have folded like so many of the Russian women do when they play Sharapova but she held her nerve, and her serve, and beat an obviously tired but determined to fight Maria. You can bet that she will not be anywhere near Maria in the draw.
Serena Williams
She will be on the opposite side of the draw from Dinara. I'm guessing she won't be on the same side as Maria either. She showed up at the mandatory tournaments and will be fully rested coming into New York. Can you not pick her?
Jelena Jankovic
The bitch is back. Jelena announced her return to the big time in a big way. She got a lot of match play in and should be fully rested for the start of the Open. If she plays well she's going to go far.
Flavia Pennetta
She's playing New Haven. If she wasn't I'd pick her to surprise people with her play in New York. She could make the third round unless some significant interference comes her way.
Victoria Azarenka
Until she learns to hold herself together emotionally she'll never do as well as she can at a Slam. She's also going to have to get over the hit hard and harder mentality she displays on court. Dissolving in tears at the first sign of resistance is not what Grand Slam contenders do.
Caroline Wozniacki
Too much tennis equals brain lock. Caro has the will and that will take her to the third or maybe the fourth round depending on her draw. She will not be able to avail herself on on court coaching and that will stop her dead in her tracks. Too bad.
Venus Williams
To be honest I don't have a clue. Venus, when on, can beat anyone on the planet. Her second set walkabouts have almost reached legendary status at this point and when that happens she can lose to anybody. Does the US Open want a Venus vs Serena final again or do they want the Bansidhe opposite Serena? Look for Venus to play her sister before the Final.
Ana Ivanovic
I wish I could say something positive. I think we'll another early exit and a fall from her #11 ranking.
Watch out for Sabine Lisicki if she's healthy, Sorana Cirstea and Zheng Jie. They can make peoples lives miserable.
End Note
Why do the Monogram's fans dislike my name for him so much? I'm sorry but anyone who monograms his damn pillows needs to be called on his shit. I've never cared for monograms on sheets, towels, or clothing figuring if you don't know who you are you never will. I'm sorry but he'll be the Monogram to me going forward. Unless you want me to call him Precious...
By the way what the hell is with all the yellow this summer?
