Warming Up Down Under
Published January 16, 2011 12:00
World No.1 Caroline Wozniacki got some hitting in on Rod Laver Arena ahead of the Australian Open.
Wozniacki's best results at the year's first major were two fourth round finishes, in 2008 and 2010.
Justine Henin is playing her first event since Wimbledon due to an elbow injury. She won here in 2004.
Venus Williams has never won the Australian Open but was a runner-up to Serena Williams back in 2003.
Ana Ivanovic enjoyed a phenomenal fall in 2010, shooting from outside the Top 60 to inside the Top 20.
Ivanovic is a former finalist at the year's first major, falling to Maria Sharapova in the 2008 final.
Ivanovic, the No.19 seed this fortnight, opens against big-hitting Russian lefty Ekaterina Makarova.
Seeded No.5, Sam Stosur is a true contender this year. She's in No.2 seed Vera Zvonareva's quarter.
Maria Sharapova has said she wants to get back to the top of the game and has her eye on Melbourne.
Sharapova has reached two Australian Open finals, finishing runner-up in 2007 and winning it in 2008.
Sharapova reached the quarterfinals of Auckland in her Australian Open lead-up, falling to Greta Arn.
Seeded No.14, Sharapova will open against Tamarine Tanasugarn in the first match on Rod Laver Arena.
Jelena Jankovic hopes to snap out of a six-match losing streak here. She opens with Alla Kudryavtseva.
Svetlana Kuznetsova is a two-time Grand Slam champion, winning the 2004 US Open and 2009 French Open.
Kuznetsova, the No.23 seed this fortnight, opens against promising young American player Alison Riske.
