[TSequoia01]

Serena, Lindsay, Monica, and Jennifer had a tough time when playing Venus in 2001. But shortly, 2002 will offer new opportunity for the aforementioned to break through and defeat the formidable Venus. Who will be first? I believe it probably will be Lindsay. She has the game and mental toughness to defeat anyone on any given day. Serena has some mental issues when playing her big sis. Monica may not have the game or stamina. Jennifer had a chance to defeat Venus at the Ericcson, but her opportunity may have past. Defeating Venus is no easy task who do you think will be first?

 

[Cheops]

First of all, I think that someone other than the 4 above will be the very first to beat Venus if she is beaten in 2002. Whoever it is will have to surprise Venus, because Venus has these 4 players figured out.

But out of the choices you gave, I think the best chances of victory would have to be on clay. And of all of the players, I see Lindsay as LEAST likely.

I agree that Serena has a mental block. And although Serena's game is sufficient to beat Venus on clay, I don't see it happening.

Maybe Monica.

I'd have to guess that Jennifer has the best chance of the 4, based on my guess that a victory over Venus would most likely occur on clay.

[ December 09, 2001: Message edited by: Cheops ]</p>

 

[Becool]

Maybe any of that 4 will defeat Venus first in 2002...<br />Venus will be playing Goldcoast, who said that she will be ready, to win that tournament? She can be rusty, and Henin can defeat her. No body knows...<br />Or maybe in Australian Open, can happen a surprise like it did in French Open this year. I hope not, but I guess that Venus' defeat will come in Australian Open, hmm I don't know to who, I hope is for lil' sis <img src="biggrin.gif" border="0">

 

[Infiniti2001]

Wait, I'll ask Miss Cleo , and get back to you on that one now <img src="rolleyes.gif" border="0">

 

[Meesh]

So hard to make a prediction on that when we don't know how they are preparing for the new season. Not sure how Lindsay's knee is going to be, hopefully she will be ok.<br />Can't wait to see how Venus does in Gold Coast!

 

[saki]

None of the above. I think it'll be Martina Hingis at the Australian Open. Or possibly Justine Henin.

Venus always has more problems against smaller players than she does against the big babes. The players with best records against her last year were Martina & Justine. But Rebound Ace suits Martina much better than it does Justine.

 

[Martian KC]

Justine in Gold Coast! <img src="graemlins/bounce.gif" border="0" alt="[Bounce]" />

 

[TSequoia01]

Venus sometimes can be surprised or may not focus on a particular match. Henin surprised Venus, but it is quite difficult to defeat her the second time around. But, await another matchup between the two, should be very interesting.

 

[Kart]

Whoever said that to beat Venus you need to surprise her is spot on - when Venus is totally focused (ie. when playing a top player) she is very tough to beat.

I always think that Lindsay and Serena have the games to beat her (Lindsay in particular) but not the mental strength.

Given that Venus is most likely to be beaten on clay I'd happily say Monica will have a chance under the right circumstances (she is a much better clay court player than Jen), but even then I don't hold out much hope.

 

[apoet29]

I agree with Meesh. We really have no idea what off-court preparations that the players are making for the upcoming season. Martina, Lindsay, Venus and now Monica are nursing injuries, so it is difficult to say how far along their rehabilitation has come. Hopefully, we will see them @ the Oz. Personally, I would like to see another player unexpectedly break through @ the Oz the way Capriati did last year. It definantly makes for exciting tennis!

As for beating Venus, which seems to be the catchphrase during the last two years, I agree that it is the smaller players that tend to confuse Venus because of their ability to mix things up without trying to overpower Venus. However, unless Henin and Hingis continue to improve their serves, I don't see them beating Venus in Australia. But hey, this is tennis and as last year proved, anything can happen. <img src="smile.gif" border="0">

 

[Volcana]

Jenn - Assuming she prepares for 2002 the way she prepared for 2001. Venus usually isn't properly prepared at OZ. Why? Whatever. Point is, so far, Jenn has proven to have her OZ prep more ready than Venus.

Lindsay's coming off an injury.

Serena simply can't control her game against Venus.

Monica simply doesn't have anything she does better than Venus. From last July on, Venus's groundies were coming closer to the lines than Monica's.

Kim Clijsters may have a better chance than any of them. She has the scrambling athleticism of her boyfriend, and isn't Venus's baby sister.

 

[tenn_ace]

Martina.

 

[Dawn Marie]

Somebody said that Hingis has the best record against Venus last year. I disagree. She may have beaten her at OZ but Venus has also beaten Martina. I think Juju has the best record against Venus more than Hingis from the past two years. <img src="smile.gif" border="0">

Juju has beaten Hingis and took her game to 3 sets I think twice.

[ December 09, 2001: Message edited by: Dawn Marie ]</p>

 

[Hurley]

Justine has never beaten Martina. Martina has never even lost a set to Justine. Justine hates playing Martina.

Martina's record against Venus is much better than Justine's 1-1.

[ December 09, 2001: Message edited by: Hurley ]</p>

 

[Hurley]

Out of those four players, Lindsay has the best chance, but Venus owns all of them. It'll probably be Hingis or Clijsters who hands Venus her first loss.

 

[cynicole]

Aww...an opportunity for me to bring up one of my favorite stats.

Clarification:

People who've beaten Venus in 2001:<br />Hingis<br />Maleeva<br />Henin<br />Schett<br />Shaughnessy (this was the only 3-setter)

Players who lost in 3 sets to Venus in 2001:<br />Maria Jose Martinez*<br />Amelie Mauresmo*<br />Amanda Coetzer*<br />Cara Black<br />Jennifer Capriati<br />Lindsay Davenport<br />Justine Henin (twice)<br />* the first three were all at the Australian Open.

Of the 3-set losses, I think the only ones who had good opportunities to win were Coetzer and Capriati.

Henin has never beaten Hingis. I know they played 2nd Round in Oz 2000 and Hingis won that one in two sets. Then they played again in Filderstat 2000 and Henin retired (I think in the second set after losing the first one). I don't know if they played another time.

<br />Anyway, back to the subject...<br />I honestly don't know. I think I'd go with Monica...but I can't think of any real reason why.

 

[Hurley]

Nope, those are the only times they've ever played. Dawn needs to go back to the videotape! <img src="wink.gif" border="0">

 

[Maajken]

lindsay

 

[Infiniti2001]

No offense, but anyone who expects Martina Hingisova to beat Venus Williams twice in a row at OZ is seriously out of the loop... Since late '99 Venus has become the type of player who WILL NOT lose back to back on any surface to anyone... Check her history <img src="tongue.gif" border="0">

 

[QueenV]

Venus isn't usually prepared for Oz. <img src="confused.gif" border="0">

To my knowledge she's been prepared every year except for last year. So the above statement isn't really true is it? Please get facts straight before making an accusatory statement.

I think out of the 4 Lindsay has the best chance on any surface besides clay. On clay I'd go with Justine. But after the French she simply appears unstoppable. Atleast when it really counts.