Lina Krasnoroutskaya V Karolina Sprem

6-3 6-4

Lina escaped unharmed from her first GrandSlam match of the year after an impressive 6-3 6-4 win against Karolina Sprem of Croatia. The Russian seeded 23 played well within herself and although dropping 7 games during the match the result was an important confidence builder. This start was just what Lina needed as she prepares for her 2^nd Round match against the qualifier Barbora Strycova.

Barbora Strycova

Age 18

Highest Ranking position – 161 (2003)

Aus Open Record – N/A

WTA Tour titles – 0

ITF Circuit Titles – 2

Previous Match – Win against Arantxa Parra, 7-5 6-1

2^nd Round Preview

Strycova should in theory provide Lina with an excellent chance of progression into the 2^nd Round as she has little WTA experience and has never played the Aus Open before. The young 18 year old Czech player has performed excellently to get to this stage coming through the qualification stage to reach the main draw, where she faced Arantxa Parra of Spain. She managed though to defy expectations and defeat the Spaniard and now faces the biggest match of her career against Lina.

Lina should feel pretty confident with this match up, providing she keeps her concentration levels up and does not fall into the trap of taking this match as a walkover. Whether or not this will be the case is all down to Lina, as on occasion she has been known to lose her concentration and lose matches that she is expected to win. Her first round exit in LA against Viktoriya Kutuzova being a prime example.

That said I believe Lina will rise to the task in hand and move into the 3^rd Round, where a possible match up against Anna Smashnova-Pistolesi awaits.

My Prediction – 6-2 6-3 Krasnoroutskaya

Good Luck Lina

Richard Paveley

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