Henin, Clijsters in Same Quarter; Williams Sisters Semifinal Looming?

January 14th, 2010

Henin, Clijsters in Same Quarter; Williams Sisters Semifinal Looming?

by Staff

The three new attractions on the WTA circuit – Justine Henin, Kim Clijsters and Maria Sharapova – all fell on the same side of the Australian Open women’s draw. Henin and Clijsters could meet in the quarterfinals with Sharapova very likely semifinal opponent on the bottom half.

In the top half, the Williams sisters, Serena and Venus, appear to be on yet another collision course. The four-time champion Serena should have an easy road to the quarterfinals where she may face Vera Zvonareva or Victoria Azarenka, who beat Serena in Miami last year.

Venus has the tougher draw opening with Lucie Safarova and perhaps an encounter with US Open finalist Caroline Wozniacki. Of note, Wozniacki could face trouble early with a first round clash with her namesake Aleksandra Wozniak who has given the Dane trouble in the past.

The third quarter is fully stocked with Elena Dementieva, Svetlana Kuznetsova, Flavia Pennetta along with the Belgians Henin and Clijsters. Dementieva and Henin would be the first week match of the tournament. Clijsters could meet fellow two-time Slam winner Kuznetsova in the quarterfinals.

Sharapova has to be happy with her draw. The former champ who’s recovering from shoulder surgery opens with fellow Russian blondie Maria Kirilenko. Sharapova could meet 2009 Australian finalist Dinara Safina in the fourth round and then Jelena Jankovic or Marion Bartoli in the quarterfinals.

Also Check Out:
Henin, Clijsters Favorites: Indian Wells Draw Redux
Henin, Zheng Win; Venus, Serena Williams Next in Oz
Clijsters Saves Match Points, Tops Henin for Brisbane Title
Henin Reaches Brisbane Final in First Event Back, Meets Clijsters
Clijsters, Wozniacki Meet for US Open Title

Filed under: Australian Open
Tags: Jelena Jankovic, Justine Henin, Kim Clijsters, Maria Sharapova, Serena Williams, Venus Williams

6 Comments for Henin, Clijsters in Same Quarter; Williams Sisters Semifinal Looming?

Kimmi Says:

“William sisters semi fianl looming?”

Don’t think venus will reach semi…she can prove me wrong of course.

January 14th, 2010 at 10:36 pm

Kimmi Says:

I wrote this on another thread..I think it belong more here.

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I skim thru Justine, Kim and Serena. Kim and justine are in the bottom half. Justine plays demantieva in second round and could meet Kim in qtrs.

Kim gets Kutzy in Rd16..Kutzy has been struggling begining of this year.

The other qtr at the bottom, Safina and sharapova in R16. then bartoli and JJ..I see Sharapova going thru here.

Bottom half is loaded with good players.

Serena..oh dear..she is laughing. She gets stotur who is struggling, Ivanovic who is struggling, Zvonareva who retired in sydney due to injury. And azarenka who was beaten soundly yesterday by demantieva.

another top qtr is venus/radwanska/Na Li/Wozniacki. No one can beat serena here.

It is serena half this one.

January 14th, 2010 at 10:40 pm

blah Says:

Henin and Clijsters in the same quarter- that’s not cool. I was hoping that we get a Clijsters-Henin final. That way the women’s final might even be better than men’s- when’s the last time you could say that? Oh well- let the winner be anyone but Serena, please.

January 15th, 2010 at 1:29 am

just tellin it Says:

You know the level in women’s tennis is the same as it was in 2002. Why? Because the only way to ensure there won’t be an All-Williams final is to place both sisters on the same side of the draw.

January 15th, 2010 at 2:40 pm

just tellin it Says:

Wickemyer is probably the most interesting unseeded player looming in the draw. She’s good but she looks like a dude. Just saying.

January 15th, 2010 at 2:42 pm

Diane Says:

Not only are Justine and Kim in the same quarter–Wicky is in that quarter, too. Eek.

I predict no Williams sisters final.

January 16th, 2010 at 2:58 pm