With Serena Williams and sister Venus not playing Indian Wells again this year, everyone’s favorite wildcard Justine Henin would appear to be the favorite. But the women’s draw is again wide open and could offer a few surprises along the way.
Svetlana Kuznetsova, a runner-up in 2008, is the top seed. Kuznetsova often plays her best tennis when no one expects her to do anything. She should get through her early matches (but don’t hold me to that) and then play No. 14 seed Kim Clijsters in the Round of 16. Clijsters, despite her U.S. Open run, has looked up and down this year. On paper, you would go with the Belgian, but I think “Sveta” will play that match relaxed knowing she isn’t the favorite. And that could be the difference.
The other side of the top half of the draw has a potential third round repeat of last year’s final with Ana Ivanovic up against Vera Zvonareva. Talk about pressure. Both women know it’s a must win match just for the sake of their ranking and to stop the continued talk of “what the heck happened to her.” So who embraces the moment better? I’ll go with Ivanovic who somehow finds her best tennis in the desert.
Sam Stosur and Yanina Wickmayer are floating around in this section, each of them hungry to breakthrough. And don’t forget Melanie Oudin who will be playing in her first big U.S. event after her run in New York. A lot of upsets and a lot drama could go down, but look for Victoria Azarenka to keep her nerve when everybody else doesn’t.
Semifinal: Kuznetsova vs. Azarenka.
The bottom half of the draw has Agnieska Radwanska as the No. 5 seed. Hope she enjoys it because she may have to take on wildcard Justin Henin as soon as the third round. In fact, Henin’s side of the draw is a dream considering she doesn’t have any real threats to her, unless she makes them threats by starting slow as she did back in Melbourne. On the other end is No. 4 seed Elena Dementieva who could meet up with Henin in the quarters. I’m sure Elena would love nothing more than get some payback after her early loss to Henin at the AO, but do you really think Henin will let that happen?
Maria Sharapova and Caroline Wozniacki are the big names at the very bottom of the draw. They could meet up in the quarters but Sharapova may have to get a past very tough Na Li before that. “Sunshine” also needs a good run as injuries have marred her post U.S. Open efforts. This could go either way, but since Sharapova is somewhat the “local” player, she’ll want to do well for her hometown fans.
Semifinal: Henin vs. Sharapova.
There’s been talk recently about the return of “big name tennis” to the women’s game. Plenty of players who missed their chances during the absence of Clijsters/Henin would love to remind everyone they are still part of the mix. They’ll get their chance at Indian Wells to prove their point. But more than likely they’ll just be bystanders to the next great “second career” after Serena’s.
Winner: Henin
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