Williams, seeking to win her seventh Australian Open title, pulled out of a lead-up tournament with a knee complaint last week, but remained confident in her body going into the tournament.
Advertisement
Williams will start the defense of her Australian Open title next week but Evert, who won two of her 18 Grand Slam titles in Melbourne, believes two-time champion Azarenka could pose a big threat to the 34-year-old.
For Maria Sharapova, preparing for the Australian Open starts way before her plane touches down in the Land Down Under. They feel they’ve been around for too long a time and they’re mentally exhausted of waking up every morning, practicing every day, traveling around the world, but she’s not.
Williams, who just missed a calendar year Grand Slam last year when she lost in the U.S. Open semifinals, could also meet former No. 1-ranked Caroline Wozniacki in the fourth round at Melbourne Park.
The world No 16, twice an Australian Open champion, breezed to the Brisbane title last week without losing a set and appears to be benefiting from some time off towards the end of a year ago when she worked on her movement.
Sharapova, the 2008 champion, said her restricted preparation was purely precautionary.
A catalogue of injuries threatens to play havoc with the Australian Open and put more pressure on women’s tour organisers to reform the playing schedule.
Other than South African tennis stars Kevin Anderson and Raven Klaasen flying the Rainbow nation flag at the first Grand Slam of 2016, four South African tennis officials – all from Pretoria – will be representing the country in Melbourne at the Australian Open which starts next week. “Now, it’s a new season, and I’ll try to forget a little bit about Serena and the results, and stay focused for the new year”. As her expressive face articulated her feelings far better than her hesitant English, Vinci brightened the atmosphere of Arthur Ashe Stadium, with thousands of stunned fans soon reflecting her radiant grin.
“It’s a dream first round for the event that Hewitt and Duckworth match-up”, Tiley said of the two players who needed wild cards to get into the main draw.
“When she won against Serena, it was the most important win for her. And now when she goes onto the court, she remembers that match with Serena”.
Serena Williams has met Giorgi twice, winning both of their matches in straight sets, including previous year in Fed Cup on clay.
(4) Agnieszka Radwanska has to be considered a serious contender this year after winning the WTA Finals last October. No. 2 Simona Halep (Achilles tendon) and Maria Sharapova (left forearm) withdrew from the Brisbane International without playing a match, and No. 3 Garbine Muguruza retired during her first match with an injured foot.
Advertisement
“We spoke about it and chatted and obviously it’d be disappointing if I was to get in that position and not be able to play the final”. She came from a set down in the third and fourth round at the Australian Open and came back from a set and a break down twice at the French Open against Victoria Azarenka and Timea Bacsinszky. “I know she is again totally focused on her goals, because she is again working on continuing to evolve her game”.
