by Jessie

Daniela Hantuchova (15) vs. Adriana Serra Zanetti

Head to Head: Hantuchova leads 4-0

            Ah yes... the long awaited Australian Open is finally here!  And of course, our girl Daniela will be competing this year.  The bad news is, Daniela’s year couldn’t have started out any worse.  She hasn’t even won a single match (I am not counting the match where Molik retired while up 6-3, 3-0 at the Hopman’s Cup as a win!)  Last week at Sydney, Daniela was knocked out of the first round by Lina Krasnoroutskaya 6-2, 6-2.

            Daniela will be the 15^th seed this year at the Australian Open.  Last year she reached her career-best quarterfinals in Melbourne, so she has major points to defend this year.  She will face Adriana Serra Zanetti of Italy.  These two met a year ago in the second round of the AO with Daniela winning 7-6, 7-6.  I guess the good news is that Daniela has never lost to Serra Zanetti, and she feel comfortable playing her.      

            But my guess is that Daniela’s confidence level isn’t very high right now.  And her draw doesn’t help much either.  If Daniela wins her first round match, she might face Alicia Molik of Australia in the second round, and we all know what happened the last time they played......

            In her past matches this year, Daniela simply made too many unforced errors!  Her backhand side seems to be the only shot working.  I always thought Daniela’s forehand was just as good as her backhand, so if it’s not working for her, it’s a huge loss for her game.  But considering that Daniela just barely got herself a new coach, I think time right now is what she needs.  Hopefully as the season gets on, she will start to win matches like she used to, and gain her confidence back.

            This is a match Daniela should win, she has an advantage in almost very area!  I don’t think she should go for too much at the beginning, she should just play safe at first and then when she feels that her shots are going fine, then she should go for it.  And she needs to win the first set!  I guess I didn’t mention that Daniela hasn’t won a set yet this year!

This is a must win match for Daniela!  Go Dani!

Prediction: I’m going to say Daniela in 2 tight sets!