Top seed Serbian 24 year old, Jelena Jankovic was tested by Belgium’s 5’5” 23 year old Kirsten Flipkens in a tightly played 6-4, 7-5 triumph in Australian Open 2009. Jankovic was pressed by the persistent 110th ranked 5 year tour player. The difference in the match was the effectiveness of Jankovic’s first serve, who put 81% of her serves in play.Flipkens actually had 30 outright winners compared to Jelena’s 21. The top seed’s experience showed toward the end of each set as Flipkens struggled to keep the form that placed her in position to win the second set. Jankovic will next play Japan’s Ai Sugiyama, a three set winner over France’s Nathalie Dechy.
Another Serbian star 2008 Australian Open runner-up, Ana Ivanovic, moved onto the third round with a relatively easy win over Italy’s 19 year old Alberta Brianti. Ivanovic was never threatened in the 1 hour 36 minute match, but her game is not sharp. The pretty Serb is still struggling with an inexplicable and erratic ball service toss. If Ivanovic cannot serve with conviction, she is ripe for an upset. Ana’s third round opponent will be 29th seed Russian, Alisa Kleybanova, who withstood a strong challenge from France’s Stephanie Cohen-Aloro 6-1, 3-6, 6-2.
Number three seed, Dinara Safina was pressured early on by Russian country-mate Ekaterina Makarova. The nimble Makarova won the first set 7-6 and provided graceful court coverage that seemed to unnerve the three seed. Midway through the second set, Safina made adjustments and began an assault of overpowering ground strokes that took a toll on her slender 20 year old opponent. Ekaterina could well be a player to watch during the 2009 season. Safina won the final two sets 6-3, 6-0 and will entertain Estonia’s impressive 25th seed Kala Kanepi who scored an easy 6-3, 6-1 win over Austrian Patricia Mayer.
The day’s big upset belonged to Australia’s own Jelena Dokic who took charge in the third set to overcome 17th seeded Anna Chakvetadze of Russia, 6-4, 6-7, 6-3. The Australian crowd was active and exuberant throughout the 2.5 hour match. Statistically, the two players were evenly matched, but Jelena rode the crowd’s momentum to the stirring win. Dokic will play Denmark’s dominating 11th seed, Caroline Wozniacki in the third round. Wozniacki disposed of Virginia Ruano Pascual in short order and looks ready to play forward.
An intriguing third round match-up pits much improved Czech, Lucie Safarova, against France’s Marion Bartoli. Safarova’s return to form gained her a hard-fought 6-1, 3-6, 9-7 win over Marina Erakovic. Bartoli, the 16 seed, won 7-5, 6-2 over Tsvetana Pironkova. Safarova and Bartoli both appear fit and capable of dealing with the imposing Australian summer.
The third French woman to advance in the top of the draw is 15th seed Alize Cornet who disposed of Andrea Petkovic 6-1, 6-0. The French women are ready for Melbourne and Cornet will be favored over her third round opponent, 19th seed Daniela Hantuchova. This pairing will feature two stars on the rise. The winner will most likely challenge Safina for a berth in the quarters.
Another player on her game is Russia’s Nadia Petrova. The 10th seed pushed past Sonia Mirza in straight sets and will face Galina Voskoboeva. Petrova is in a good spot to advance and has her ground assault game finely tuned to challenge for the title. Unfortunately, she will likely meet another hot player, 7th seed Vera Zvonareva a 6-6, 6-0 winner over Sara Errani. Petrova and Zvonareva could well meet in the round of 16. The pressure is mounting early and the stars are moving forward down under.
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