For the first time in the Open era there is no American female seeded at the Australian Open, but Serena Williams is doing her best ensure United States tennis doesn’t sink completely from view.
With Lindsay Davenport pregnant and expected to retire and sister Venus Williams out injured, she is flying the Stars and Stripes with a watershed match on Sunday in her comeback from injury.
Ranked 81 after skidding down the rankings, Williams knows she is the US’s best women’s hope here, but is not totally despondent about the state of tennis in her country.
”Well, US women’s tennis is struggling a little bit, I guess, but we have a couple of solid players; namely Venus Williams and Serena Williams,” she said.
”I think the best you guys have yet to see.”
Her confidence will be tested on Sunday when she comes face to face with one of the hottest players on the tour, the fiery 11th seeded Serb Jelena Jankovic.
Although she upset fifth seed Nadia Petrova of Russia in the third round for her first victory over a top 10 player in two years, Jankovic could be a tougher trial despite her lower ranking.
The Serb won her first tournament of the year in Auckland, reached the final of her second against Kim Clijsters in Sydney and is now considered to be the fourth favourite to take out the first Grand Slam of the year.
”One year makes a big difference,” said 21-year-old Jankovic. ”I think I am more mature. I know that today I am a different Jelena from last year.”
She holds a 2-1 record over Williams stretching back to 2004 when the American won their first encounter in San Diego in three sets, and is not scared of the seven-time Grand Slam champion.
”I respect every player. But when I go on court I want to win,” she said.
”I just go out there and play my game, that’s all. I’m not thinking if she’s number one in the world, or whoever she is.”
Williams knows she will need to be at her very best to book a quarterfinal berth.
”She’s playing really well, I think she’s a very solid player, a very good player and I’m going to have to be playing even better to win,” Williams said.
”[But] I always said if I play well, if I play my game and play the way I know I can, then it’s tough to beat me.” ‒ Sapa-AFP