Dangerous Floaters in the Australian Open Draw
As the 2008 Australian Open gets underway, the draw matters as always. Yes, one needs to be able to beat the best players in order to win the tournament, but sometimes it helps to have played a few matches rather than facing a “dangerous floater” in the first or second round. For example, if they both win their first round matches, then multiple Grand Slam champions, Lindsay Davenport and Maria Sharapova, will meet in the
second round. Davenport has made an impressive return to the Tour since giving birth to her son last June. Therefore, it is a tough draw for both the unseeded Davenport, as well as Sharapova. On the men’s side, two-time Grand Slam champion and former Australian Open champion, Marat Safin, is also a dangerous floater lurking in the men’s draw. Safin has a tough first round match, but should always be considered a contender if he reaches the second week despite his poor play the past year or two. In addition, German player Nicolas Kiefer, who returned last summer from a lengthy injury break is another dangerous unseeded player floating in the men’s draw. Over time, good and bad draws tend to even out, but they can definitely make a difference in one tournament. I’d predict that whoever wins the projected Sharapova Davenport second round match will reach the semis.
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