MELBOURNE, Australia -- The second week looks like its going to be very exciting. All the big guns are still in the draw. Everybody's anticipating a Martina Hingis-Serena Williams quarterfinals and possibly a sister-clash in the semifinals.
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Mary Joe's Picks |
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|  | | Fernandez |
Former WTA Tour pro Mary Joe Fernandez is providing ESPN.com with in-depth analysis during the Australian Open. Fernandez, a tennis analyst for ESPN, won the 1985 U.S. Open. In doubles, she won the '91 Australian Open, the '92 Olympic gold and the '96 French Open. |
Venus Williams (3) vs. Amelie Mauresmo (13)
This is the most attractive matchup. Mauresmo was a finalist here two years ago. She's one of the few players who has been able to beat Martina Hingis and Lindsay Davenport back to back. This will be a very good test to see if Venus is ready to turn it up another level and get ready to play the quarterfinals and semifinals.
Serena Williams (6) vs. Daja Bedanova
This is another good matchup. Serena's playing a young talented player from the Czech Republi. in Bedanova, who upset Elena Dementieva last night. She's not a powerful player. She doesn't hit at mach five. She takes the ball early similar to Hingis. She plays inside the baseline and could give Serena a rough match.
Martina Hingis (1) vs. Rita Grande
Hingis is taking on Grande of Italy who is a surprise fourth rounder after she put out Amy Fraizier (16) in the second round. But Hingis is definitely superior and more experienced at this level.
Amanda Coetzer (10) vs. Paola Suarez
Coetzer, an always popular South African, is one of the quickest players on the tour. She has cruised through the draw -- not losing too many games. She's had good results at the Australian Open in the past, taking out Hingis in 1996 and Steffi Graf in '97. Coetzer's the type of player that you'll have to beat because she won't beat herself. She's too consistent for Suarez, who upset No. 7 seed Mary Pierce on Saturday.