Day One of the Australian Open kicks off with many of the top players in action. Juan Martin Del Potro takes on American Michael Russell and the word is that Delpo’s wrist injury is more serious than we thought. Gael Monfils is also playing today even though his shoulder injury forced him out of Sydney last week.
For more of my thoughts about today’s matches, watch my video above or keep reading.
No. 14 seed Maria Sharapova takes on fellow Russian Maria Kirilenko in the first match of the day. I think Sharapova is in good shape to make a deep run at the Open considering she landed in the Safina/Jankovic side of the draw. Both of those players are also playing today so will be good to see how their form is.
Andy Roddick will be up against Thiemo de Bakker, a hard hitting player from the Netherlands. Some are giving de Bakker a chance but I think Roddick is in too good a form right now.
Another American Sam Querrey was not in the best form heading into the AO. He’s up against Rainer Schuletter from Germany. Wouldn’t be surprised if there’s an upset here.
Rafael Nadal, the defending champion, is up against the talented Australian Peter Luczak. Luczak gave Roddick a good match in Brisbane so Nadal will need to play to win this easily or else it could be a long night.
Of course the Belgians Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin are up today. I like both of them to get through as well their fellow compatriot Yanina Wickmayer who had to qualify to get into the main draw.
Finally, Marin Cilic, who some consider a darkhorse, will take on the veteran Fabrice Santoro who is making history today by being the first player to play in Grand Slams over four decades. Expect Cilic to get through easily but Santoro, aka The Magician, may pull out a few more tricks before his day in Melbourne is done.
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