Grand Slam Professional Tennis Predictions and Picks by Nick Bollettieri. US Open, French Open, Wimbledon, Australian Open

Once again, Nick’s Picks along with Tennis Week will bring you in-depth coverage of the Australian Open.  Check back everyday for insight leading up to the Open and then throughout.

Jelena Jankovic (SRB) vs. Yvonne Meusburger (AUT)

For the first time in her career, Jankovic will be the top seed in a Grand Slam. With that comes a whole new list of responsibilities and expectations. I fully believe that she is capable of handling whatever is presented to her and I look for her to challenge for this title.

Meusburger is a 25-year old Austrian who is ranked #104 in the world. She has been as high as #60, which came back in 2007. This is her third appearance at the Aussie Open, and last year she reached the second round.

The Match-Up:

This will be the first career meeting between Jankovic and Meusburger. Jankovic has to figure out how long she wants to play for. Too many times she gets out on the court and doesn’t put her opponents away when she has the chance. If she wants to win this tournament, which I think she can, then she must take advantage of every single opportunity she has.

Nick’s Pick – Jankovic in 2 sets

Ana Ivanovic (SRB) vs. Julia Goerges (GER)

Ivanovic reached the finals here in 2008 and that was the start of what was a fantastic year for her. Although she had her ups and downs, overall it was extremely successful. I think with the rest she received she will be ready to go in 2009.

Goerges is only 20-years old, and is ranked #106 in the world. She is a tall girl, 5’11″, and has a nice two-handed backhand. This is her first Aussie Open appearance, and only her fourth Grand Slam main draw overall.

The Match-Up:

This will be the first career meeting between Ivanovic and Goerges. There isn’t a tennis sportswriter in the world that doesn’t understand how good Ivanovic is when she is playing her best, but she has to start playing like that from Day #1!!! If she does, watch out, she could make a run for the trophy!

Nick’s Pick – Ivanovic in 2 sets

Serena Williams (USA) vs. Meng Yuan (CHN)

Serena comes into the tournament of the heels of a bad loss to Elena Dementieva. She needs to shake that off and just look forward. She’s won this event three different times, and reached the quarters last year. There is no doubt that she is one of the favorites to take the title in 2009.

Yuan is a 22-year old Chinese woman who is ranked #123 in the world. She did get to #86 last March and has been to the second round of the Aussie Open two times.

The Match-Up:

This is the second meeting between Williams and Yuan, with their only other match coming in last year’a Aussie Open. Serena won that one 6-3, 6-1. Serena claims she is as fit as ever and doesn’t have any injuries. If that is the case then everyone else is in trouble, because when Serena is playing at her top level there is no one that can beat her.

Nick’s Pick – S. Williams in 2 sets

Elena Dementieva (RUS) vs. Kristina Barrois (GER)

Is there anyone hotter on the tour right now than Elena Dementieva?  She has won both tournaments she entered thus far in 2009, and just handled both Serena Williams and Dinara Safina in Sydney. If she keeps this up, she is a big threat.

Barrois is a 27-year old German who is ranked #87 in the world, which is her career high. This is her first appearance at the Australian Open, and she hasn’t been in the main draw of a Grand Slam since the 2006 US Open.

The Match-Up:

This will be the first career meeting between Dementieva and Barrois. With the help of Andy Brandi and Harold Solomon, Dementieva’s serve is no longer a treat for her opponent. With the serve going, and with her groundstrokes and movement there aren’t many players that are better than Dementieva.

Nick’s Pick – Dementieva in 2 sets

Other matches of interest:

Here are some of the other matches that I will be keeping my eye on during the first round.

Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) vs. Shahar Peer (ISR) – What has happened to Shahar Peer? A few years ago everyone believed that she was going to be hanging around the top ten for years to come, but that isn’t the case. She’s fit, moves fine, and hits the ball as well as anyone. To me, it’s a lack of confidence. This won’t be an easy match for either player, and is one of the best first rounders in the draw.

Sabine Lisicki (GER) vs. Aleksandra Wozniak (CAN) – Wozniak shot up the rankings in 2008, climbing from #130 to #34. She comes into this tournament ranked a career high of #33. and is looking to move even higher. The same can be said about NBTA student, Sabine Lisicki and her ascension up the rankings. This match is going to come down to the unforced errors. If Sabine keeps hers down she can win this.

Amelie Mauresmo (FRA) vs. Olga Govortsova (BLR) – With Mauresmo being a former champion here, everyone will have their eye on her. She’ll be 30 this year, and maybe Mother Nature is starting to catch up to her because she is a great athlete and has excellent techniques. Can she recapture some of her old magic?

Daniela Hantuchova (SVK) vs. Casey Dellacqua (AUS) – There is no question that Hantuchova has the strokes to win consistently, but she needs to stay healthy. She comes in ranked #21, but has been as high as #5 in the world. Dellacqua reached the fourth round last year, and will have the fans behind her 100%. This should be good.

~ by Nick's Picks on January 19, 2009.

Posted in 2009 Australian Open, Australian Open Picks
Tags: 2009 Australian Open, Aleksandra Wozniak, Amelie Mauresmo, Ana Ivanovic, Caroline Wozniacki, Casey Dellacqua, Daniela Hantuchova, Elena Dementieva, Jelena Jankovic, Julia Goerges, Kristina Barrois, Meng Yuan, Nick's Picks, Olg Govortsova, Sabine Lisicki, Serena Williams, Shahar Peer, Yvonne Meusburger