- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Venus Williams has stolen the thunder of her higher-ranked rivals to seize Australian Open favouritism.
The American lacks the top seeding of Jelena Jankovic, the hot streak of Elena Dementieva or the brash self-confidence of sister Serena, but bookmakers clearly like her Open chances.
The older, quieter Williams has left the pre-tournament limelight-hogging to her outspoken sister.
But the 28-year-old world No.6 has not completely slipped under the radar, with most bookmakers on Sunday installing her as the top choice to lift the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup for the first time.
That status partly reflects her form at a recent teams exhibition event in Hong Kong where she blitzed Jankovic, as well as Russian pair Anna Chakvetadze and Vera Zvonareva, without dropping a set.
It also stems from her season-ending nine-match streak last year, including wins over the world’s top four players in succession as she claimed the tour championship in Qatar.
But the sixth seed’s favouritism also indicates questions still linger over whether most of the women ranked above her can produce their best when it matters most.
World No.1 Jankovic, No.3 Dinara Safina and No.4 Dementieva are all yet to win a grand slam and all were beaten in straight sets in their only previous appearances in major finals.
That cannot be said of No.5 Ana Ivanovic, who beat Williams enroute to losing last year’s Australian final, then followed up with a breakthrough title at Roland Garros.
But after that win took her to No.1, the Serbian glamour girl’s form tailed off significantly in the second half of the year.
Williams’ seven grand slam titles and the nine held by her world No.2 sister Serena – including three in Australia – count for more than rankings points in the eyes of many when it comes to assessing chances at a major.
The sisters, drawn to meet in a semi-final, are the clear top two chances with punters.
And while Venus does not spruik her credentials from the rooftops Serena style, the reigning Wimbledon champion is quietly confident.
“I definitely feel like one of the players who has the opportunity to take it home,” Williams said.
She also believes there is no better player in the world right now.
“In my mind I always tell myself that. Right now I’m not No.1 so the numbers and everything isn’t matching up, but I hope to get there.”
To reach an all-Williams semi-final, Venus faces a potential quarter-final match-up with Dementieva, who won tournaments in Sydney and Auckland in the past two weeks.
The in-form Russian is one of four players who could end the fortnight as world No.1, along with incumbent Jankovic, Serena Williams and Safina.
Jankovic, Ivanovic and Safina all start their campaigns on Monday, with Dementieva and the Williams sisters to play on Tuesday.
Profiles for leading women’s Australian Open contenders:
JELENA JANKOVIC (SRB)
Age: 23
Ranking: 1
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US6,940,935
Career titles: 9
Grand slam titles: 0
Australian Open win-loss record: 12-6
Best Australian Open performance: semi-finalist 2008
Reached the tennis summit last year after collecting four titles, including three straight mid-season, and qualifying for her maiden grand slam final at the US Open. A major, though, remains her Holy Grail.
SERENA WILLIAMS (USA)
Age: 27
Ranking: 2
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US21,989,507
Career titles: 32
Grand slam titles: 9
Australian Open win-loss record: 37-6
Best Australian Open performance: champion 2003, 2005, 2007
The reigning US Open titleholer and only woman in the draw boasting more than one Open trophy. Has her sights set on regaining the top ranking in 2009 and, if history is any guide, is due for a fourth title in Melbourne.
DINARA SAFINA (RUS)
Age: 22
Ranking: 3
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US5,509,751
Career titles: 9
Grand slam titles: 0
Australian Open win-loss record: 6-6
Best Australian Open performance: third round 2004, 2007
Finally emerged from brother Marat’s shadow in 2008, thanks to four titles from seven finals and a breakthrough run to the French Open decider. Earmarked as a world No.1 in waiting and one of four players in position to snatch the top ranking in Melbourne.
ELENA DEMENTIEVA (RUS)
Age: 27
Ranking: 4
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US10,763,591
Career titles: 13
Grand slam titles: 0
Australian Open win-loss record: 17-10
Best Australian Open performance: fourth round 2002, 2005, 2007, 2008
The young veteran is hottest player on tour, opening 2009 with 10 straight wins and back-to-back titles in Auckland and Sydney, but has long struggled to produce her best at the pointy end of major tournaments.
ANA IVANOVIC (SRB)
Age: 21
Ranking: 5
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US6,290,137
Career titles: 8
Grand slam titles: 1
Australian Open win-loss record: 11-4
Best Australian Open performance: runner-up 2008
The sport’s new IT girl, with family connections in Australia, enjoyed her first stint atop the rankings last season after backing up her Open final appearance with a French Open triumph and further victories at Indian Wells and Linz.
VENUS WILLIAMS (USA)
Age: 28
Ranking: 6
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US21,940,096
Career titles: 39
Grand slam titles: 7
Australian Open win-loss record: 32-9
Best Australian Open performance: runner-up 2003
Australian and French Opens are the two glaring omissions on the American’s otherwise immaculate career CV. Little wonder why she has nominated the two elusive slams as her two major goals for 2009.
Whether it’s aces or races, try out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp for great odds and a great punting experience. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.