American Flavour Dominates
The Age
Thursday January 27, 2005
IN 2004, the Russians were coming, with three of the four majors taken by three different Russian women.
On form, the first grand slam of the new year might have a star-spangled look.Maria Sharapova is the sole Russian in the final four but on what we have seen to date, the Wimbledon champion is not quite as comfortable on sun-soaked Rebound Ace as she was in the cooler climes and quicker courts of the All-England club. Sharapova will play Serena Williams today in a reprise of the Wimbledon final, when the starlet who can play shocked Williams and became an instant marketable force. But this time, the American seems in better touch.It would be a surprise for the 17-year-old to upset Williams a second time in a grand slam event. And, make no mistake, Williams would be upset. She has not taken kindly to talk she and her sister Venus are spiralling down the WTA plug hole. "No, we are not declining, we are here," said a tetchy Williams. "I don't have to win this tournament to prove anything. I know that I am out here and I know that I am one of the best players out here." Williams insisted that Sharapova did not present the prospect of revenge for Wimbledon but an opportunity to play for another grand slam, her sixth should she take it. Curiously, she has taken the view that she has "nothing to lose" this time. "I was way too nervous at Wimbledon. I couldn't sleep, I couldn't breathe. Sometimes you want it too bad that you just freak yourself out. So now I feel fine."The other semi-final looks more clear-cut. While Lindsay Davenport hasn't tasted grand slam success since the 2000 Australian Open, the cards - and seeds - are falling in her favour. She could scarcely have ordered a semi more favourable than a meeting with Nathalie Dechy, the 19th seed who has never been this far or beaten the American in five attempts.Dechy advanced to her first grand slam semi-final with a 5-7, 6-1, 7-5 win over Patty Schnyder, in a match rendered invisible by the Davenport-Alicia Molik epic. Dechy was disappointed her match had been eclipsed by that contest. "I know the other match was much more entertaining for the Australians and for the tournament, but that wasn't scheduled very nicely," she said.
© 2005 The Age