The Final Showdown
Most people associate "the big one" with grand slams or possibly the Year Ending Chase Championships. However, this week prooves that a top event is not needed to produce major drama, high quality matches, and a whole lot on the line. The Ladies' Liberty Open this week features all but one or two of the top 24 women in the world--the most ever at a tier one event, and is also the last chance for Amelie Mauresmo or Steffi Graf to steal the final seat at the Chase Championships from Elena Dementieva. Though the draw's varying degrees of fairness must certainly be a pain to the players, it is bound to thrill spectators with enticing matches throughout the fortnight.
Speaking of fairness, the world's number one Anna Kournikova must be pleased with her draw. She hasn't lost to any player in her quarter all season. Wheras last week she was faced with the headache of playing Hantuchova in the quarters, this time around she has the much more pleasant task of playing either Alexandra Stevenson or Gabriela Sabatini, both of whom are dedicated players, but not at the level of play Kournikova has maintained over the past season. Wheras last year it was a shock to most that Anna made the semis (going on to win the whole thing), there would be pretty much no excuse for the beautiful blonde to do anything short of that this time around.
Jennifer Capriati got a slightly more challenging quarter, though not nearly as difficult as the two remaining sections. A possible quarter final matchup with Serena Williams looms in the distance, but first, Capriati will need to overcome her own sluggishness, as well as the winner of Tanasugarn vs. Myskina (expect the Russian to make it through). The Capster's form of late has been shakey at best, though a semi-final performance last week serves to testify that she may be re-gaining her early season form. Still, a semi-final effort this week should be very satisfying for Capriati, as Kournikova should proove to be too good for an exhausted Capriati (and that is what she should be after being forced to play her way back into form. It takes a while for champions to jump back on the bandwagon after falling off).
Amanda Coetzer simply can't get a break. After a stellar run to her second career title last week, this week she is rewarded with a R16 meeting with the red hot Amelie Mauresmo, followed by an almost guranteed encounter with Elena Bovina just to reach the semi-finals. While the South African's newfound style might take her that far, Elena's revived determination, combined with her carpet prowess might proove too much for Coetzer. Plus, we can't forget the crafty Mauresmo, who is desparate to snatch that last spot in New York. She is bound to throw everything short of the Kitchen Sink at Amanda in a last ditch effort to make the Chase.
Finally, the trickiest section of the draw. Hantuchova, Graf, Dementieva, and Hingis all bunched together (with the much more pedestrian Molik and Clijsters thrown in). Hingis doesn't like playing Elena (remember Wimbledon), but is still too smart to loose that early. It could happen (you never know), but it ain't likely. Still, that should be a very interesting three setter, with both girls giving it all they've got--one in a bid at World Number One, the other in a bid to Secure her prized position with the world's best next week. On the top side, Hantuchova and Graf are expected to face off in yet another potential thriller. Graf is so close to qualifying for New York, and should be expected to wear her heart on her sleeve this week as she does her absolute best to pull off a string of upsets (she will need them for sure). Hantuchova has prooven over these past few weeks that she is among the top five players in the world, and isn't going to beat herself. While Graf stands a chance, she is going to have to regain her hardcourt form and really come up with something special to pull it off.
All things considered, I expect Kournikova to walk to the final, and think that, despite her poor form last week, she stands a chance this time to win. Her competition on the lower half of the draw will have had to win three hard faught, exhausting matches just to reach her, wheras she will have faced players she normally beats easily. However, anything is possible. Hingis just beat her two weeks ago, Hantuchova beat her last week, Bovina certainly knows how to beat her (Coetzer doesn't like playing her, but might just throw in something special due to her newfound confidence). I am very excited for this week, and look foreward to seeing everyone give their all to winning this thing. I expect to see several hard faught, dramatic matches, read intruiging, candid interviews, and hear from certain players for the first time. I hope that I am not disappointed.