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Scottdale State Farm Classic Preview
February 23rd 2003
by Matt Donaldson
The elite of the WTA head out to Arizona this
week, to play on the hardcourt of the Scottsdale Classic. The tournament,
which offers $585,000 of prize money, is a Tier II event, and has always had
an impressive turnout in terms of quality, as players prepare for the
upcoming Tier I events at Indian Wells and the Nasdaq 100 within the next
month. The man faced with the responsibility of organising such star
attractions is a Mr Peter Tatum, who can be contacted at Ptatum@imgworld.com, for
information regarding the tournament. If we are really going wild on the facts
today, the main sponsor is (rather understanably based on the events name)
State Farm Insurance, although other recognisasable names behind the
tournament are Mercedes-Benz, Pepsi, and equipment will be supplied by Penn.
Damage Control ...
In recent weeks, Daja hasnt been performing to her
best. She has not gained any points this year so far, and had to cope with
losing a sizable chunk of points in Antwerp a fortnight ago, when attempting
to defend points gained from last years quarter final appearance, she crashed
out to Maja Matevzic in straights. Her drop in points, and more importantly
her form has led to the inevitable slide down the rankings, and Daja can
expect another tough time this week as she has another quarter final to
defend.
...Or a Kick Start for the Season???
However, the draw may well have been kind to her.
Unlike most other events, the 1 and 3 seeds are in the same half of the draw,
as opposed to the 1 and 4 seeds. This means that she shares her quarter with
the 3 and 7 seed.
All players in Daja's quarter are within 25 places
on the rankings, with the exception of one Ms Dokic, whose own form has been
somewhat questionable in recent weeks (sorry Glyn). Daja is the highest ranked
of the 7 (Dokic having been given a bye as one of the top 4 seeds) at 42, but
should feel that if she were to take her chances, she has the ability to
overcome any of her prospective opponents, even the mighty Ms Dokic. The
question is whether or not she rises to the challenge of defending another
quarter final appearance, or buckles under the pressure and concedes yet more
points and yet more of her confidence is drained.
The Draw
Round One
As i say, all the ties are difficult, you would
expect that at a Tier II, but similarly, they are all possible victories. Daja
opens with a tricky tie against American Meghannn Shaugnessy. Her ranking of
#27 is certainly deserved, but she hasnt played since Tokyo where she suffered
a first round exit. Before that, she reached the Quarter Finals in the
Australian Open in Melbourne, before being knocked out by eventual winner
Serena Williams. The history stands at two victories a piece, with Daja taking
the most recent two, including a third round win at the US Open in 2001.
Shaughnessy will be understandably rusty. she has
been out of action and Daja's fitness will pay off having played in three
tournaments in a row before having last week off. Im going for Daja in
straights.
Round Two
Jelena Dokic has not been in the greatest form of
her career, but one would assume that she will make it to the second round
this week after being given a bye. Its match predictions like this that cause
breakdowns. Despite all the acquaintances i have made on the Dokic board over
the last few months, i have to disappoint them this week, (and also return to
disagreeing with Glyn), and go for a victory for Daja, a tight, really hard
fought victory, but a victory all the same. As much as it pains me, Ms Dokic
is not playing all that well at present, and i think that if Daja can get on
top of the match, and Jelena, early on, then Jelena's head will begin to drop.
It will be tricky, but ill say Daja in three tight sets with a cringe on my
face.
Quarter Final
Daja's most likely opponent at this stage will be
7th seed Elena Bovina. She too has not played since Tokyo, losing in the
second round, but im not sure Daja can rely on lack of match practice and
'rusty-ness' against Bovina. It will be quite close. Daja will be pumped full
of confidence if she does reach this stage, having beaten Dokic, but whether
or not she has enough to actually gain points for the first time this year is
another matter. There's only so far i can go when calling tight maches, so the
buck stops here. I cant see another hard fought victory for Daja, so im going
for a victory in straights for Bovina.
Round 1
Daja def Shaughnessy in straights
Round 2
Daja def Dokic in 3
Quarters
Bovina def Daja in straights
Semis
Clijsters def Bovina in straights
Final
S.Williams def Clijsters in 3
Visit the Kim Clijsters page here
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