French Open Second Round Preview

by Jessie

Daniela Hantuchova vs. Ashley Harkleroad

Head to Head: Harkleroad leads 1-0

The French Open has started, and I hope you all are as excited as I am!  Already in the first round, we have seen major upsets on both the men and women’s side.

            Daniela, who is seeded 9^th will be in action tomorrow against rising American star Ashley Harkleroad.  In the first round, Daniela defeated Russian Alina Jidkova 2-6, 6-0, 6-1.  Her second round opponent Harkleroad defeated Saori Obata of Japan 6-4, 6-2. And if you ask me, Daniela has a very very tough draw at Roland Garros.  Even if Daniela does win against Harkleroad, she will be likely to face 23^rd seed Anna Pistolesi.

            But this second round match-up against Harkleroad will be a major challenge.  About a month ago, Daniela played Harkleroad in Charleston, and she lost badly 6-2, 6-1.

There is no doubt that Harkleroad has been playing some of the best tennis in her career.  Just last week, she got to the semi-finals at Strasbourg.

            This match is a major test for Daniela, because right now I think Harkleroad is playing better than some of the seeded players, so if Daniela wins against Harkleroad, she should win against some of the other tough opponents she will face.

            I don’t think clay is Daniela’s best surface, so she will have to keep down her unforced errors, and hit shots that will set her up for her big forehand.  She can also hit some really nice down-the-line backhands.  If she gets her “usual” game going, this match could go her way.  But, as much as I hate to admit it, I smell an upset in the air.

Prediction: Harkleroad defeats Hantuchova 6-4, 7-5.

Good Luck Daniela!  Prove me wrong!

Visit the Daniela Hantuchova page here

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