Australian Open 2004 Preview

           Lina Krasnoroutskaya

With the new season under way it is time for the first Grand Slam of the year, the Australian Open. It will hold mixed emotions for Lina as it was this tournament two years ago that she sustained her severe ankle injury. The very same injury that over the past two years has hampered both her game and her rise up the rankings.

However taking a look at the draw Lina can be optimistic about her chances of progression at this years tournament.

Following on from a mixed bag of results in her two previous tournaments this will be a good opportunity for Krasnoroutskaya to play against the world’s best, on a world stage, to see just how far her game has progressed.

1^st Round

This year’s draw pits Lina against Karolina Sprem of Croatia. Sprem currently ranked 56 should on paper provide Lina with a fairly safe route to the 2^nd round but as fans of Lina will know, nothing is ever that simple. She is a neat and tidy player, hits her shots with accuracy but without the power that so many of todays women have. Lina though has the power but perhaps not the highest level of accuracy, especially on her forehand side.

However, the advantage however is clearly with the Russian as this will be the Croatians first appearance at the Open. Adding to this advantage is the fact that Karolina Sprem has only ever played two Slams before. This lack of big tournament experience should in theory play right into Lina’s hands, providing of course the Russian holds off her own nerves and plays the game we know she is capable of.

2^nd Round

Once into the 2^nd Round Lina could be facing the 21year old Spaniard Arantxa Parra. As with Sprem this match shouldn’t prove to be overly difficult for Lina. Parra, being a natural clay court player does not in theory have the power to trouble Lina on a hardcourt surface. This said she has a good tactical game and if Lina’s concentration levels drop during the match, Parra will take full advantage.

I predict though a straight sets victory for Lina, taking her into the 3^rd Round.

3^rd Round

Now into the 3^rd round Lina’s opponent, going by form, should be Anna Smashnova-Pistolesi of Israel. This is where the matches start to get a lot tougher for Lina and where her true qualities will I believe, shine through.

Smashnova-Pistolesi represents a different sort of test for Lina, she plays a much harder game than the other players Lina may face in the 1^st and 2^nd rounds. Still, her game is defensively based and this I believe will play into Lina’s hands. Pistolesi is known for her fighting spirit and high levels of determination but as long as Lina goes for her shots and gets her backhand working I feel the match will only go to two sets.

So again my prediction is another Lina victory.

4^th Round

The 4^th round is where the big name players come into there own and unfortunately for Lina, she may face Venus Williams. So will Lina be able to pull off a massive shock and beat a player of Williams stature? Only time will tell but if Venus has an off day or Lina performs to her absolute best, then a shock could well be on the cards.

So, lookgin ahead to this years Australian Open I predict good things for Lina, a 4^th Round place is my bet and just maybe, a semi final.

Good Luck Lina

Richard Paveley