Four Slam Womens Champs On Today at Wimbledon
Posted on June 29, 2006LONDON, UK -- Four Grand Slam champions return to action on Thursday as second round action continues. Here's a look at the marquee match-ups:
(1) Amelie Mauresmo (FRA) vs. Samantha Stosur (AUS) -- Mauresmo leads 3-0
Stosur is coming off an impressive straight set victory over new 's-Hertogenbosch champion Michaella Krajicek. The Australian doubles specialist finally advanced to the second round here after three consecutive first round losses. She has nothing to lose against world No.1 Mauresmo, who punished her with a double-bagel earlier this year at Miami. The Frenchwoman, who has made the semifinals here in her last three attempts, also showed no mercy on Wednesday in her rout of Ivana Abramovic.
(4) Maria Sharapova (RUS) vs. Ashley Harkleroad (USA) -- Sharapova leads 2-0
After advancing to the second round here for the first time, Harkleroad runs into 2004 Wimbledon champion Sharapova. The Russian teen won all previous meetings with the 20-year-old American. But she was tested earlier this year at the Australian Open when she had to save three set points but still managed a straight set win. Sharapova was more dominant in their grass court meeting three years ago when she dropped only three games here at the All England Club.
(6) Venus Williams (USA) vs. Lisa Raymond (USA) -- Williams leads 4-1
This will be the fourth Grand Slam meeting between the fellow Americans. While Williams prevailed in straight sets at the US Open in 2001 and at Wimbledon in 2002, Raymond defeated Williams for the first time at the Australian Open two years ago en route to the quarterfinals. Raymond has proven that she knows how to win on grass. In 1999, she defeated Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario here in the fourth round and in 2000 she won Birmingham and reached her first Grand Slam quarterfinal here, losing to Venus' sister, Serena. The 32-year-old will have to bring her absolute best against Venus, who holds three Wimbledon titles and an impressive 43-6 record.
(9) Anastasia Myskina (RUS) vs. Martina Muller (GER) -- Myskina leads 1-0
Four years ago, Myskina and Muller battled each other for three hours on clay in the first round of Fed Cup competition. Germany defeated Russia even though Muller lost a tense 76(5) 67(4) 11-9 battle after saving nine match points. 2004 Roland Garros champion Myskina looks to be in great grass court form after her run to the Eastbourne finals. Muller was less successful in her Wimbledon preparation, as she fell in the qualifying draw at 's-Hertogenbosch.
-- WTA
(1) Amelie Mauresmo (FRA) vs. Samantha Stosur (AUS) -- Mauresmo leads 3-0
Stosur is coming off an impressive straight set victory over new 's-Hertogenbosch champion Michaella Krajicek. The Australian doubles specialist finally advanced to the second round here after three consecutive first round losses. She has nothing to lose against world No.1 Mauresmo, who punished her with a double-bagel earlier this year at Miami. The Frenchwoman, who has made the semifinals here in her last three attempts, also showed no mercy on Wednesday in her rout of Ivana Abramovic.
(4) Maria Sharapova (RUS) vs. Ashley Harkleroad (USA) -- Sharapova leads 2-0
After advancing to the second round here for the first time, Harkleroad runs into 2004 Wimbledon champion Sharapova. The Russian teen won all previous meetings with the 20-year-old American. But she was tested earlier this year at the Australian Open when she had to save three set points but still managed a straight set win. Sharapova was more dominant in their grass court meeting three years ago when she dropped only three games here at the All England Club.
(6) Venus Williams (USA) vs. Lisa Raymond (USA) -- Williams leads 4-1
This will be the fourth Grand Slam meeting between the fellow Americans. While Williams prevailed in straight sets at the US Open in 2001 and at Wimbledon in 2002, Raymond defeated Williams for the first time at the Australian Open two years ago en route to the quarterfinals. Raymond has proven that she knows how to win on grass. In 1999, she defeated Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario here in the fourth round and in 2000 she won Birmingham and reached her first Grand Slam quarterfinal here, losing to Venus' sister, Serena. The 32-year-old will have to bring her absolute best against Venus, who holds three Wimbledon titles and an impressive 43-6 record.
(9) Anastasia Myskina (RUS) vs. Martina Muller (GER) -- Myskina leads 1-0
Four years ago, Myskina and Muller battled each other for three hours on clay in the first round of Fed Cup competition. Germany defeated Russia even though Muller lost a tense 76(5) 67(4) 11-9 battle after saving nine match points. 2004 Roland Garros champion Myskina looks to be in great grass court form after her run to the Eastbourne finals. Muller was less successful in her Wimbledon preparation, as she fell in the qualifying draw at 's-Hertogenbosch.
-- WTA