Day 2 of the Australian Open!

January 15th, 2008

Melbourne, Australia

It was Day 2 of the Australian Open today and the rest of the women's field went underway to begin their quest for the Australian Open championship. Top players such as Kuznetsova, V. Williams, Ivanovic, Hantuchova and Bartoli were all in action around the grounds.

Svetlana Kuznetsova had a relatively easy time in her 1st Round match as she usually does during the first week of a major. The chunky Russian defeated a former Semi-Finalist here, Nathalie Dechy, 6-3, 6-1. Anna Chakvetadze didn't even get to finish one game when her opponent twisted her knee and had to retire. Chakvetadze, the number 6 seed was through to the 2nd Round in 3 minutes.

Ana Ivanovic didn't have the same drama that her countrywoman, Jelena Jankovic had to deal with the day before, but she still had her fair share of problems. Playing a fiesty 17 year old from Romania, Ivanovic had problems, and then when the Shot Spot technology was not working, she seemed to lose composure and get angry. Finally she cooled down and went on to win, 7-5, 6-3 over Sorana Cirstea.

Hantuchova was playing on an outer show court but had no problems in dismissing American Vania King, 6-3, 7-5. Bartoli, the 10th seed had other problems to deal with. The day was scorching hot, over 90 degrees, and Bartoli opened her match strong but continued to falter in the heat. As time went on, the Wimbledon finalist was defeated and out of the tournament. Surely it was disappointing for the French woman. Bartoli lost 6-7, 6-4, 6-3 to Sofia Arvidsson.

The night match featured Venus Williams playing in the 1st Round against young Chinese woman, Zi Yan. For Venus it started easily as she took the first set quite comfortably. The second set was more problematic as Williams racked up the errors and Yan began to play more aggressively. However experience helped Williams to a 6-2, 7-5 win.

Tomorrow Serena Williams, Justine Henin, and Jelena Jankovic are back in action. However all eyes will be on the highly anticipated 2nd Round match of Lindsay Davenport vs. Maria Sharapova. The Russian holds a 4-1 head to head against Davenport.

Rod Laver Arena Results:

Svetlana Kuznetsova d. Nathalie Dechy - 6-3, 6-1

Venus Williams d. Zi Yan - 6-2, 7-5

Vodafone Arena Results:

Anna Chakvetadze d. Andrea Petkovic - Ret.

Ana Ivanovic d. Sorana Cirstea - 7-5, 6-3

Margaret Court Arena Results:

Daniela Hantuchova d. Vania King - 6-3, 7-5

Show Court 2 Results:

Sofia Arvidsson d. Marion Bartoli - 6-7, 6-4, 6-3

Show Court 3 Results:

Akiko Morigami d. Michaella Krajicek - 6-2, 6-2

Nadia Petrova d. Nicole Pratt - 6-1, 6-3

Maria Elena Camerin d. Christina Wheeler - 6-1, 6-2

Top 10 Seeds:

1. Justine Henin - 2nd Round

2. Svetlana Kuznetsova - 2nd Round

3. Jelena Jankovic - 2nd Round

4. Ana Ivanovic - 2nd Round

5. Maria Sharapova - 2nd Round

6. Anna Chakvetadze - 2nd Round

7. Serena Williams - 2nd Round

8. Venus Williams - 2nd Round

9. Daniela Hantuchova - 2nd Round

10. Marion Bartoli - Lost 1st Round (Arvidsson)