TENNIS: American Women Lead Field at Aussie Open
American Women Earn 3 of 4 Top Seeds at 2001 Aussie Open. Americans Lindsay Davenport, Venus Williams and Monica Seles lead the race to this year's first Grand Slam title, behind top-seed Martina Hingis.
The United States will be well represented "down under" this year, holding 7 of the top 16 seedings. Americans Lindsay Davenport, Venus Williams and Monica Seles lead the race to this year's first Grand Slam title, behind top-seed Martina Hingis. Rounding out the top 16 seeded players are #6 Serena Williams, #11 Chanda Rubin, #12 Jennifer Capriati and #16 Amy Frazier.
THE WOMENS FIELD Injuries have already claimed Anke Huber and are threatening to hamper the performance of Mary Pierce and Amelie Mauresmo at this year's Australian Open, but the top seeded players are looking strong.
Defending Champion: Lindsay Davenport (#2) Last year's winner, Davenport is coming off a strong performance at the Adidas International, losing to Martina Hingis in the final. Davenport reached the final of 2 Grand Slam events in 2000, losing to eventual winner Venus Williams in both finals. She's looking good in 2001 and is ready to defend.
Top Seed: Martina Hingis (#1) Without a Grand Slam title since 1999, Hingis is confident going into the Open, fresh off a 3-set win over Lindsay Davenport at the Adidas International in Sydney. 3-time Australian Open champion, and finalist the last 4 years, Hingis is physically and mentally prepared for the challenge of "big babe tennis". She will have to get past #6 S. Williams, #3 V. Williams or #7 Pierce, and #2 Davenport to win the title.
The Williams Factor: Venus Williams (#3), Serena Williams (#6) There will be no All-Williams final for father Richard at this year's Australian Open. Sisters Venus and Serena may meet in the semifinals if they both come through the top half of the draw. Daunting task for both players, especially Venus who has not played a singles match this year, though she did capture 2 Grand Slam singles titles plus the Olympic gold medal last year.
The Other Russian: Elena Dementieva (#9) Perhaps not as popular as compatriot Anna Kournikova, but Dementieva is coming on strong after making a name for herself in 2000, advancing 50 spots in the WTA rankings to current world #12. A semifinalist at the U.S. Open last year and silver medalist at the Olympic games, Dementieva will be tested in the top half with #1 Hingis and #6 S. Williams.
Winning Record: Monica Seles (#4) Since 1991, Seles has lost only 1 match at the Australian Open, winning the title 4 times and a semifinalist in 1999, her last appearance here. Coming off her best year in 2000 since the stabbing, Seles appears in good form and ready to contend for the top spot. Her road to the title looks good through the semi's, where she will meet #2 Davenport.
SEEDS AND MATCHUPS If the seeds hold true to form, there will be 4 American players in the women's quarterfinals at the 2001 Australian Open. Here are the potential matchups:
Top Half #1 Hingis (SUI) vs. #6 S. Williams (USA) #3 V. Williams (USA) vs. #7 Pierce (FRA)
Bottom Half #4 Seles (USA) vs. #5 Martinez (ESP) #2 Davenport (USA) vs. #8 Kornikova (RUS)
THE WOMENS FIELD Injuries have already claimed Anke Huber and are threatening to hamper the performance of Mary Pierce and Amelie Mauresmo at this year's Australian Open, but the top seeded players are looking strong.
Defending Champion: Lindsay Davenport (#2) Last year's winner, Davenport is coming off a strong performance at the Adidas International, losing to Martina Hingis in the final. Davenport reached the final of 2 Grand Slam events in 2000, losing to eventual winner Venus Williams in both finals. She's looking good in 2001 and is ready to defend.
Top Seed: Martina Hingis (#1) Without a Grand Slam title since 1999, Hingis is confident going into the Open, fresh off a 3-set win over Lindsay Davenport at the Adidas International in Sydney. 3-time Australian Open champion, and finalist the last 4 years, Hingis is physically and mentally prepared for the challenge of "big babe tennis". She will have to get past #6 S. Williams, #3 V. Williams or #7 Pierce, and #2 Davenport to win the title.
The Williams Factor: Venus Williams (#3), Serena Williams (#6) There will be no All-Williams final for father Richard at this year's Australian Open. Sisters Venus and Serena may meet in the semifinals if they both come through the top half of the draw. Daunting task for both players, especially Venus who has not played a singles match this year, though she did capture 2 Grand Slam singles titles plus the Olympic gold medal last year.
The Other Russian: Elena Dementieva (#9) Perhaps not as popular as compatriot Anna Kournikova, but Dementieva is coming on strong after making a name for herself in 2000, advancing 50 spots in the WTA rankings to current world #12. A semifinalist at the U.S. Open last year and silver medalist at the Olympic games, Dementieva will be tested in the top half with #1 Hingis and #6 S. Williams.
Winning Record: Monica Seles (#4) Since 1991, Seles has lost only 1 match at the Australian Open, winning the title 4 times and a semifinalist in 1999, her last appearance here. Coming off her best year in 2000 since the stabbing, Seles appears in good form and ready to contend for the top spot. Her road to the title looks good through the semi's, where she will meet #2 Davenport.
SEEDS AND MATCHUPS If the seeds hold true to form, there will be 4 American players in the women's quarterfinals at the 2001 Australian Open. Here are the potential matchups:
Top Half #1 Hingis (SUI) vs. #6 S. Williams (USA) #3 V. Williams (USA) vs. #7 Pierce (FRA)
Bottom Half #4 Seles (USA) vs. #5 Martinez (ESP) #2 Davenport (USA) vs. #8 Kornikova (RUS)
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