Daniela Hantuchova’s Pacific Life Open Tournament Preview

By: Jessie Lin

            Three years ago, Daniela made that big break through at Indian Wells by upsetting Martina Hingis in the final to win her first and only title.  Since 2002, things hasn’t looked so great, her ranking, form and confidence level has dropped significantly.  So can this tall talented girl from Slovakia get back the her top form, where she was once ranked 5^th in the world?

            So far this year, things are looking bright for Daniela.  Two weeks ago, Daniela made the quarterfinals in Qatar, before she lost to eventual Champion Maria Sharapova.  And just last week in Dubai, Daniela overcame a tough draw to make the quarterfinals again, beating Alicia Molik on her way there.  In the quarters, she lost to Serena Williams.  So in those two tournaments alone, she has beaten players ranked ahead of her, and she didn’t lose to anyone that she’s not ‘suppose’ to lose to.  Losing to Sharapova and Williams is nothing to be ashamed of.  The more matches she play against a top player, the more she will improve. 

            For the next two week, Daniela will be back in Indian Wells.  She is seeded 14^th, and will get a bye in the first round, it was been a long time since she’s earned herself a bye!  Daniela has a pretty decent draw.  She will play the winner of Anne Kremer and Allisa Kleybanova in the second round.  The first seed she will likely meet 19^th seed Fabiola Zuluaga in the third round.  If she can make it that far, we are looking at a possible match-up between Daniela and Sharapova again, in the fourth round.

            Expectations are high for Daniela the next two weeks, because her fans think that she is back for good!  Daniela should take everything match by match, and not try to get ahead of herself.  If she plays at the same level of play as she did in Qatar and Dubai, then she will go far in this tournament!

My Prediction: 4^th round, Sharapova is on fire right now, it will take a lot for Daniela to beat her.

GOOD LUCK DANIELA!