By Erik Gudris Photo Credit: Mark Peterson / Corleve
(January 16th, 2012) With temperatures expected in the high 30’s (Celsius) or high 90’s (Fahrenheit) for those watching the Australian Open from afar, day two of the Australian Open could see players battling the conditions just as much as their opponents on the other side of the net. Here’s a quick look at some of the matches to watch on the women’s side today.
No. 2 seed Petra Kvitova kicks off her campaign not only to win Melbourne but for a chance to become the No. 1 player in the world when she takes on Russia’s Vera Dushevina in a first-time meeting for both players. The other featured women’s match for the day session on Rod Laver Arena will be the anticipated return of U.S. Open Champion and No. 6 seed Sam Stosur to her home Slam as she meets Romanian Sorana Cirstea. Stosur, who has only made it as far as the fourth round in Melbourne in her earlier visits, will be looking to go farther in the event than she has in the past despite the tremendous pressure and expectation placed on her by the Aussie media and fans.
No. 4 seed and 2008 champion Maria Sharapova will face a familiar foe in Gisela Dulko. Dulko, though primarily known for her doubles success with partner Flavia Pennetta, is a skilled singles player and beat Sharapova in their last meeting in the third round of Wimbledon in 2009. All eyes on will be on Sharapova to see how she is physically as she continues to deal with a left ankle injury suffered in Tokyo last year.
The matches with the most potential for drama and upsets include No. 27 seed Maria Kirilenko taking on Australia’s Jarmila Gajdosova, an all French encounter between Virginie Razzano and No. 9 seed Marion Bartoli, No. 18 seed Svetlana Kuznetsova against South Africa’s Chanelle Scheepers and Jelena Dokic versus Anna Chakvetadze in a match of former wunderkinds now back on the comeback trail.
Plenty of Americans will see action today including Jamie Hampton, Madison Keys, Vania King, Alison Riske and Sloane Stephens while the night session marks the return of five-time champion and No. 12 seed Serena Williams to Melbourne after she missed the 2011 event due to injury. Williams, who withdrew from Brisbane earlier in the month after a mild ankle sprain, will play Austria’s Tamira Paszek who reached the quarterfinals of Wimbledon last year.