The best way Serena Williams can answer her critics – and she has a few after her much-publicised finish to the US Open – is with her racquet.
A sweep of the four majors this year would do just fine. It would constitute the first Grand Slam since Steffi Graf achieved the feat in 1988, and stamp Serena as the greatest player of her era.
You can bet that that’s at the back of her mind today as she embarks on a defence of her Australian crown. It’s the kind of motivation she needs to bring out her special brand of dynamic tennis.
And Serena knows she can do it. She has won all four of the majors at least once, the total to date being 11, including four at Melbourne Park.
If she clinches a fifth Australian title on Saturday week, she’ll be ahead of such immortals as Graf, Martina Navratilova and Monica Seles.
In the men’s event, Roger Federer opens his campaign with a match against Russia’s Igor Andreev. The classy Swiss is trying to win the title for a fourth time after losses to Novak Djokovic (semi-final) and Rafael Nadal (final) in 2008 and 2009 respectively. If successful, he will equal Andre Agassi’s performance between 1995 and 2003.
Trengove’s Fearless Forecasts
Federer (1) v Andreev
Andreev stretched Federer to five sets at the 2008 US Open and tends to be unpredictable (except to Fearless). Federer will want to see that the Muscovite doesn’t get his teeth into the match. Federer in four.
Djokovic (3) v Gimeno-Traver
The only time they met previously – at Barcelona on a clay court in 2006 – the Spaniard won in three sets. Djokovic has come a long way since, whereas Gimeno-Traver languishes in the 70s. Djokovic in straight.
Davydenko (6) v Kindlmann
After twice beating both Federer and Nadal in recent ATP events, Davydenko’s confidence is higher than the RLA roof. Davydenko in straight.
Hewitt (9) v Hocevar
The Aussie isn’t daunted by his Sydney loss to Baghdatis. Nor should he be. He’s fit, keen, and far too strong for the No. 192-ranked Brazilian qualifier. Hewitt in four.
S. Williams (1) v U. Radwanska
Serena has had a sore left knee, but otherwise has too much artillery for the Polish up-and-comer, who took her to 6-4, 6-4 at Wimbledon in 2008. Serena in three.
V. Williams (6) v Safarova
The Czech made the quarter-finals in 2007, has won four titles on the tour, and was once ranked No. 22. So Venus can’t afford one of her sluggish starts. Venus in three.
Stosur (13) v Han
Stosur should have the shots and experience to dispose of the little-known Chinese qualifier. On the other hand, you never know with qualifiers. Stosur in three.
Molik v Coin
Molik’s power and athleticism will overwhelm the journeywoman from Amiens. Molik in straight.
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