Maria Sharapova will miss the Australian Open due to her shoulder injury, and therefore the opportunity to defend her title. The Russian has not played since August, and is now missing her second grand slam event in a row.

WOW!

too me, it seems like when one big named player is out for awhile with an injury or something it seems like the tour takes on a new dynamic. sorry, im not sure if that made any sense....

Well Venus is my favorite as well for the title. She won YEC, the exhibition, and seems so focus to get the two major titles missing: Aus Open and French. I wouldn't be surprised if she won those two this year but not Wimbledon.

Yes Dementieva has played great this year, so def. a favorite as well. But going into her 10th match of the season this night, will she be well rested?

And Serena, well, personally I think she tanked the match against Dementieva. I def. do not approve of it, but she is so slam minded, she has the personality to do so. I don't think we can used that match as an indication of anything

Jankovic, well she seems to be getting to the later stages all the time, but her record against the top players sucks. Of all the top players, I think she is the least favorite actually

Ivanovic, I don't think she'll find form. Just don't see it happen.

My dream winner (other than Hantuchova of course) Azarenka. She has so much potential. I saw most of her matches in Brisbane. She was on fire. She is aggressive. The other day I saw her Olympics match vs. Venus. SHe lost 63 64 but it was such a close match

Yes Dementieva has played great this year, so def. a favorite as well. But going into her 10th match of the season this night, will she be well rested?

And Serena, well, personally I think she tanked the match against Dementieva. I def. do not approve of it, but she is so slam minded, she has the personality to do so. I don't think we can used that match as an indication of anything




Dementieva just won a lot of lucky points.

I don't think you can win a match 6-3 6-1 by winning alot of 'lucky points'. Dementieva played well, and Serena probably did give the match-up as Christina suggested.

-Dementieva has won the title, beating Safina in the final, 6-3 2-6 6-1.

Serena said that Henin only beat her at the 07 US Open because Henin "made a lot of lucky shots."

Yes, that's Serena talking though. She always undermines her opponants if she loses... She didn't play well, it was me; I didn't move well; I gave it too her etc.

Serena would have won every match she's ever played if her opponents hadn't been luckier and/or healthier than her.

I didn't realise you were a Serena fan.

:haha: Do you think I'm Sir Mix-a-Lot or something?

You tell me.