The Female Contenders for 2011 Australian Open
Well, it’s that time of year again, it’s the beginning of the third week of January, time for another edition of the Australian Open!
In the women's draw, the title is really up for grabs and is as wide open as I’ve ever seen it. With the withdrawal of Serena Williams, there is no one outright favourite for the title in my view,. Any of the current top players are capable of winning the tournament.
This is due to the fact that there have been many injuries and loss of form of many of the top players over the last 12 months, plus the current No. 1 player has yet to win a Grand Slam title.
The medium-paced, high-bouncing plexicushion surface also gives a level playing field to all of the current players.
Therefore, as ever, it’s an opportunity for an outsider to excel and get really far, possibly a final place.
Let’s have a look at who I think the contenders could be this year:
Caroline Wozniacki
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Currently ranked World No. 1, Wozniacki has so far been unable to deliver a Grand Slam title. Wozniacki also does not have a great pedigree so far at the Australian Open but that shouldn't mean too much at this stage as she’s very young and hasn't played the tournament too many times.
In the past, certainly some players had a feel for rebound ace more than others, but now with the plexicushion surface and the possibility of playing at night or indoors more often, its relatively easier for the No. 1 player to go far in the tournament.
Wozniacki has no major weapons but does everything well, and her serve is improving, her best shot is probably her backhand. But I think that’s part of the problem.
Wozniacki is now attempting to play a more aggressive game but likes to wait and see what happens, as opposed to forcing the action.
That style of play doesn’t deliver Grand Slam tournaments too often, so Wozniacki will have to up her game considerably if she wants to win this tournament and justify her No. 1 ranking.
Vera Zvonareva
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Zvonareva had an exceptional year in 2010 by getting to two Grand Slam finals and reaching No. 2 in the world rankings.
Zvonareva was also able to manage her emotions better than in the past and that has helped her game, which by the way is a very good game.
She possesses great athleticism and movement, plus a good first serve and ground strokes, which, while not the paciest, always has good depth.
Zvonareva also possesses a very good transition game to net, which served her well during the 2010 Wimbledon championships.
Therefore the question for Zvonareva is, does she have the belief to beat a player of the calibre of Kim Clijsters or Venus Williams in a grand slam final?
She certainly has the game and the court craft to do it, but mental stamina is also an important part of winning a Grand Slam tournament. But Zvonareva is definitely a contender.
Venus Williams
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Venus reached the semifinal of the Australian Open in 2001 and the final in 2003 but hasn’t done too well since then. That’s quite surprising, considering Venus has done so well in other tournaments around the world and has many hard court titles to her name.
I’m not sure if I could put it down to the rebound ace not suiting her style of play; but that shouldn’t be an issue now with the plexicushion surface and Wilson balls.
Of course, Venus is always a contender but probably not a favourite as she is vulnerable to defeats by opponents who take the game to her.
And on a technical level, Venus’ serve, despite being the fastest, is not as effective on hard courts as it is on grass.
On grass, Venus’ serve tends to skid, plus she loves to serve into the body with a bit of slice. On other surfaces, the players seem to have a bit more time and the ball sits up more, so her game is just not as effective.
I would make Venus a contender, but not a favourite, for the title
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Justine Henin
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Henin has won the tournament in 2004, defeating Kim Clijsters in three sets and got to the final in 2006 before losing to Amelie Mauresmo (retiring in fact). Henin also lost the final last year on her comeback to Serena Williams in three exciting sets.
Despite Henin’s very good record at the Australian Open, I would be loath to make her a favourite due to the fact the she has been out of action since July 2010 with an injured elbow, which needed an operation.
Henin would probably need a few more tournaments to find her rhythm and form but of course, she has to perform now, as there is no time to do that.
However, at the same time, Henin is such a talented and thoughtful player with determination that she can not be discounted from being a possible winner of this event.
Kim Clijsters
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Clijsters is probably the favourite out of all the players here, as she’s won Miami, Cincinnati, US Open and the Tour Championships in Doha over the past 10 months.
Clijsters is a great player on hardcourt, as she likes the even bounce of the surface and she can really go for her shots and move freely across the court.
Clijsters got to the final in 2004 losing to Henin and the semifinal in 2003 losing to Serena Williams. Clijsters also got to the semifinal in 2006, retiring in the third set to eventual winner Amelie Mauresmo.
In 2010, Clijsters lost rather easily to Nadia Petrova, but I would be surprised if that happened this year. More importantly, Clijsters has beaten every rival in the draw at the Grand Slam level.
On that basis, I make her the slight overall favourite.
Maria Sharapova
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Maria Sharapova is definitely a player who knows how to win Grand Slam tournaments, having won the Australian Open in 2008, plus the US Open in 2006 and Wimbledon in 2004.
Unfortunately, Maria has had a cruel run of shoulder injuries. Consequently, she’s gone from having one of the best serves in the game to a player liable to as many double-faults as Elena Dementieva had in years gone by.
Had Sharapova not endured these trials and tribulations, she would certainly be a favourite for the title, but now she is nothing more than an outside contender for the title.
But taking into account Maria’s pedigree, her determination and will to win, then you have to make her a contender if she can get on a run during the event.
Victoria Azarenka
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Azarenka is a player I was quite impressed with during the Tour championships in October 2010 in Doha, she appeared a player that is maturing and willing to have a go on the tennis court. I like that attitude.
Azarenka also won the Moscow tournament earlier that month and one thing really impressed me–that was her willingness to get to the net and the good technique she displayed on her volleys, including stop volleys.
Azarenka doesn’t have the best movement, but she is working hard on that aspect of her game. Her aggressive play on hard courts should win her a lot of matches.
Azarenka is at a similar stage to Caroline Wozniacki in that her game is still developing. She still needs to improve her serve but she does play a different type of game to Caroline.
At this stage, Azarenka is a potential candidate to do well if it comes together for her.
Other Contenders
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Other players who could do well if things go right for them are the Serbians Ana Ivanovic and Jelena Jankovic, Russian players Svetlana Kuznetsova and Alisa Kleybanova, and home favourite Sam Stosur.
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